Medford Arts Council Hosts Reception, Announces Local Art Winners
Medford Arts Council hosts reception for 2010 grant recipients
Current Medford Arts Council Members (l to r): Will Tenney, Cheryl Janse (member-elect), Anita Tucker, Michael Bernstein, Maria Daniels (chair), Peter Houk, Alexa Mase. Missing: Joe Walter. Courtesy photo.
The Medford Arts Council hosted a reception to celebrate the community’s 2010 grant recipients at the Royall House and Slave Quarters on May 16, 2010.
Maria Daniels, the chair of the Medford Arts Council, spoke about the council’s work and introduced the council members. Michael Bernstein unveiled three images of Medford the council has selected for a set of postcards to be published and distributed via the water bills this summer: an illustration of Medford Square by Laura Dorson, a photo of the John Hand Footbridge over the Mystic River by Lauren DiLorenzo, and a photo of the McGlynn School playground by Paul Marotta. Two grant recipients for 2010 spoke about their programs. Barbara Rutstein talked about the Medford Public Library’s spring 2010 Community Read program, which brought together hundreds of Medford adults and children in discussions of the books and related events. Kyna Hamill and Wanda Strukus discussed their Dance in the Fells project planned for October 2010, when five choreographers will present new works at outdoor locations in the Middlesex Fells.
Each fall, the Medford Arts Council reviews grant applications for funding local arts and cultural projects through the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. In January, the Medford Arts Council announced their allocation of just over $18,450 to 31 grant applications for festivals, concerts, talks, classes, and field trips taking place in 2010.
The reception featured live jazz by renowned bassist and Medford resident Rick McLaughlin and an ensemble of students from New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School: Nick Singer on trumpet, Peter Smith on alto saxophone, Michael Sink on piano, Matt Cohen on guitar, and Connor Baker on drums.
Food and drinks were provided thanks to generous donations by Kappy’s Liquors, Johnnie’s Foodmaster, Shaw’s, Whole Foods Market, and members of the Medford Arts Council. Door prizes were donated by Bentley University, Bestsellers Cafe, Columbus School, Tufts Community Music Program, and Rich Turk.
Medford Arts Council announces postcard image selections
At a reception at the Royall House and Slave Quarters on May 16, 2010, the Medford Arts Council unveiled the images they will use for a new postcard series. The three postcards for 2010 are an illustration of Medford Square by Laura Dorson, a photo of the John Hand Footbridge over the Mystic River by Lauren DiLorenzo, and a photo of the McGlynn School playground by Paul Marotta.
The Medford Arts Council distributed a call for art featuring images of Medford, and received more than 60 images in response. Amateur and professional artists submitted photographs, paintings, illustrations, woodcuts, and digital collages showing different aspects of Medford. The Medford Transcript hosted an online gallery and poll showcasing 19 of the images, and over 200 people voted for their favorites. At their May 12 meeting, Medford Arts Council members selected the final three images to turn into postcards.
14,000 of the postcards will be distributed to Medford residents for free as an insert in their July water bills, thanks to Mayor McGlynn and funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Illustration of Medford Square by Laura Dorson
Laura Dorson is a local graphic designer and illustrator. This image highlights the familiar turret and curving facade of the Bigelow Block building in the middle of Medford Square. The Bigelow Block was built in 1886 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Laura describes the illustration as “hand-done, if that can be said of digital art.” The image has a cheerful mid-century vibe.
Photo of the John Hand Footbridge by Lauren DiLorenzo
Lauren DiLorenzo is Medford’s Director of Community Development. She considers herself an amateur photographer, although she took her first photography class over 25 years ago. The John Hand Footbridge is photographed here from the Cradock Bridge the morning after a snow and ice storm. Also known as the Medford Pipe Bridge, the footbridge was constructed in 1897 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Lauren says, “This vista is my favorite in Medford. Usually I like the image of the rear of the buildings, their colors, styles and the fading lettering, but on this day, the color and reflection of the bridge and the snowy embankment of the Mystic River are what captured the eye.”
Photo of the McGlynn School playground by Paul Marotta
Paul Marotta is a photographer and publicist who grew up in Medford and recently returned to the area. Paul took this striking photograph at the McGlynn School playground, which was designed and built as part of the McGlynn School complex completed in 2001. The wall follows the design at this playground showing the historic contours of the Mystic River from before the river was redirected for construction of the Amelia Earhart Dam and the Route 16 off-ramp. Paul Marotta’s photography is represented by Getty Images Worldwide. More of his work can be seen at www.perfectbokehphotography.com.
About the Medford Arts Council
The Medford Arts Council is a city-appointed agency of volunteers working to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts and humanities in order to improve the quality of life for all Medford citizens and foster a sense of community.
The Council administers the distribution of funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in the form of grants to individuals, schools and non-profit organizations. The Council funds high-profile public events like Community Read, West Medford Open Studios, and the Doc Kountze Film Festival, as well as dozens of concerts, classes, field trips, performances, and other activities in disciplines including dance, theater, music, science, history, and the visual arts.
Grant applications for the 2011 funding cycle will be available in September 2010, and will be due on October 15, 2010. Details are available on the Council’s web site at www.medfordartscouncil.org.
Current Medford Arts Council members: Maria Daniels (chair), Michael Bernstein, Peter Houk, Alexa Mase, Will Tenney, Anita Tucker, Joe Walters
Medford Arts Council: www.medfordartscouncil.org
– Submitted by Maria Daniels, Medford Arts Council