In November 2024, I had the privilege of visiting Rebecca McGee Tuck’s newly completed art studio in Natick, Massachusetts. Tuck is a fiber artist, sculptor, and dedicated ocean activist. A native of the state, she has spent hundreds of hours throughout her artistic journey, walking the shores and collecting debris from the wrackline— the crusty edge where the tide leaves behind its discarded remnants of toys, ropes, and endless plastic. Tuck’s compelling art weaves a message of hope into her work, creating humor from the horror one might feel when confronted with its immediate reminder of our consumer-driven decisions. Her colorful creations invite introspection. Tuck notes: “In my practice, I am rooted in the rethinking of discarded materials, creating found object fiber sculptures that resonate with sustainability and environmental consciousness. Through my work, I urge a reconsideration of our relationship with the environment. The vibrant colors and textures of the materials ask us all to confront the consequences of our actions and embrace environmental stewardship.”

She continues, “My ongoing series ‘Along the Wrack Line’, explores the balance between humans and nature. I collect this debris along the Massachusetts coastline with each piece carrying a clear reminder of our impact on the ocean’s ecosystem. Cleaned and transformed, they shed light on man-made materials polluting our waters and tangling wildlife. At its core, my art is a message of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of creativity and advocating for positive change – a call to action.”

Tuck’s collaborative project with UMass Dartmouth, Sculpture Monster: Creature from the Plasticine Era was featured in Fiber Art Now Magazine — and received a grant for public art in the summer 2024. That article can be found on Tuck’s website, listed below. Her work has been juried in exhibitions across the Northeast, including the Cape Cod Art Museum, Fitchburg Art Museum, Boston Sculptors Gallery, Viridian Artists Gallery in New York City, and the St. Botolph Club in Boston. Tuck also spoke at Artist Talk “From Art to Activism” hosted by Arts Wellesley and Sustainable Wellesley.

Tuck has held artist residencies at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and the DNA Residency in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Tuck is an MFA Candidate at Clark University.

“Changing Tides”, a collection of sculptures, weavings, and installations will be on exhibit in Proctor’s Lovejoy Library from Jan. 20 through June 2. To view the collection, please email art curator, Molly Leith at leithmo@proctoracademy.org. See more of Rebecca’s art here: https://www.rebeccamcgeetuck.com/