The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts will present a selection of works by Jason Bombaci, for the month of July, in Suite 135 of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center. There will be a public reception on Thursday, July 8 from 6-8pm.

Volunteers are curating this exhibition in memoriam. Bombaci, 38, died of cancer in November 2020, at his home in Rochester.

“We’ve worked with Jason a few times in the recent past,” said Amy Regan, Rochester Museum of Fine Arts. “We’re honored to exhibit his great works again. His passing is a great loss to us. We will miss him.”

A native of Concord, NH, Jason Bombaci spent his youth exploring New Hampshire’s mountains, rivers, and rocky streams. His interest in the study of art was sparked at a very young age.

Bombaci began a private study of art at age nine in Marblehead, MA and by high school was studying under Estelle Smith in Manchester, NH. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program and received a Masters of Fine Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. He has also studied landscape painting and art history in Italy through the University of New Hampshire in Italy program. 

An avid kayaker and fisherman, Bombaci spent a lot of time on the water and these activities seem to recur as a theme in some of his work. When asked if people ever misinterpret his work, he replied, “I paint what I paint and let viewers make what they will of it.”

Viewers may recognize many local scenes from his collection of thickly-layered canvases which use a broad palette of colors to capture the play of light so handily.

Bombaci always said he liked to “build an image abstractly, focusing on mixing and laying down marks of pure color.” As the colors come together and meet, an image starts to emerge. This way of working builds what he calls “an active surface” which he would work over repeatedly before arriving at the final image.

“We hope people will take the time to see these works in person,” said Regan. “We encourage the public to attend the reception and honor his memory.”

The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts and Bernier Room is located in the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH, behind Spaulding High School. 

The museum is sponsored by the City of Rochester, Rochester Main Street, MacEdge, Bernier Insurance, Lenharth Systems, and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.rochestermfa.org to learn more.