June 12 – September 12, 2021
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Coinciding with the opening of the new Polar Park Stadium, a groundbreaking exhibition at WAM focuses on one of the most recognizable garments in American culture: the baseball jersey. Inspired by the move of the Boston Red Sox's Triple-A Affiliate to Worcester, The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion features over 35 historic and contemporary jerseys and baseball-inspired fashion to trace the development, experimentation, and dissemination of the iconic American-style baseball shirt in the sport, on the runway, and in everyday life. Organized by Erin R. Corrales-Diaz, WAM's assistant curator of American art, the exhibition explores the baseball jersey as an entry point into 170 years of baseball uniforms. Pioneering in its approach, The Iconic Jersey is the first exhibition solely devoted to the baseball jersey in an art museum.
This exhibition is made possible through the generous support from the Fletcher Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Arthur M. and Martha R. Pappas Foundation, Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation, Lunder Foundation-Peter and Paula Lunder family, Murray Family Charitable Foundation, Red Sox Foundation, Larry and Stacey Lucchino, Renee and James Skeffington, Jr., Cynthia L. Strauss and Harry A. Sherr, and an anonymous donor. This project is also funded in part by the Ruth and John Adam, Jr. Exhibition Fund, Heald Curatorial Fund, Don and Mary Melville Contemporary Art Fund, Michie Family Curatorial Fund, and Hall and Kate Peterson Fund.
Related exhibition programming is supported by the Burrow Movie Fund, Amelia and Robert H. Haley Memorial Lecture Fund, Bernard G. and Louise B. Palitz Fund, and Spear Fund for Public Programs.
Exhibition sponsored by: Samuel Adams, Country Bank, Gilbane, Gatorade, and Webster Five.
Media Partner: The Boston Globe
Exhibition Catalog
The exhibition is accompanied by a scholarly catalog by curator Erin CorralesDiaz, Ph.D. This groundbreaking volume traces the design and aesthetics of the iconic baseball jersey both on and off the baseball field. The catalog is for sale in the Museum Shop for $34.95.
For mail orders, please call the Shop at 508.793.4355 or email shopsales@worcesterart.org.
Related Programs
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame!”
Community Day
Sunday, September 12, 10am–4pm
Free
Enjoy a full day of baseball-themed fun for the whole family! View full details.
Sponsored by: Red Sox Foundation and Webster Five.
Home Base: Photographs of Local Baseball History
June 12 – September 12, 2021
Various locations around the Museum
Enjoy a nostalgic display of historic photographs of baseball teams and players from across the state.
Share Your Baseball Photos!
You, too, can share in this local history by submitting photographs of yourself, a family member, and/or ancestor playing baseball for a chance to be shared in WAM’s digital gallery or social media platforms!
Click for details
Download our FREE custom app to mix and match features to design one-of-a-kind jerseys for WAM's mascot, Helmutt!
Press
Ron Kaplan's Baseball Bookshelf
The Bookshelf Conversations: Erin Corrales-Diaz
October 19, 2021
National Press Photographers Association
Ballplayers' photos capture changing styles, evolving game
By Stephen Wolgast, October, 2021
abc6.com
Mixing baseball and fashion, Worcester art exhibit displays both
By K.C. Kantz, August 19, 2021
Antiques & The Arts Weekly
Baseball Jersey Exhibit Plays Ball at Worcester Art Museum
July 2, 2021
NewTV
Museum Open House – The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion
With Jay Sugarman, July 1, 2021
Artscope
Fashion Trendsetters: Designers Steal Home at WAM's Iconic Jersey Exhibition
by Brian Goslow, June 30, 2021
Printmag.com
WAM’s Iconic Jersey Exhibit Explores Baseball's Most Fashionable Garment and its Design History
By Bill McCool, June 29, 2021
Live Auctioneers
Worcester Art Museum explores fashion behind baseball jerseys
June 25, 2021
Hypebeast.com
Worcester Art Museum Examines the Baseball Jersey's Iconic Connection to Fashion
By Brycen Saunders, June 16, 2021
The Guardian
The Baseball Shirt: Cultural Icon and Fashion Accessory – In Pictures
By Sarah Gilbert, June 1, 2021
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Worcester Art Museum steps up to the plate with new exhibition 'The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion'
By Richard Duckett, May 30, 2021
Selected Images
