Art Archives - Page 5 of 20

Call for artists to help create summer 2023 Outdoor Reading Rooms in Natick

October 4, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

In celebration of the Morse Institute Library’s 150th anniversary, the Town of Natick and the Morse Institute Library have issued a call for artists to design, construct, install and maintain three original, temporary Outdoor Reading Rooms in public green spaces across the community next summer.

cole center playground — The Cole Center, 179 Boden Lane, will be the site of one of three Outdoor Reading Rooms next Summer. The other locations will be the front lawn of the Morse Institute Library (14 E. Central St.), and Connor Heffler Park (90 Oak St.). The rooms will act as the central hub for the summer reading program, connecting residents directly to library services and building awareness of the other sites.

Outdoor Reading Rooms are open-air ‘rooms’ where anyone may sit and read—no library card needed. The Morse Institute Library’s Bookmobile and Book Bike will support each Outdoor Reading Room with pop-up programming such as children’s story times, author talks, book clubs, and historical programs. The spaces will also be available to support public programming led by other municipal departments, nonprofits, and community groups. The Morse Institute just need artists to make them!

Check out the call for artists and consider applying. Responses are due Friday, October 21, 2022.

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Enter your great pics of Natick (and beyond) in Oldtown Calendar Competition

September 29, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

All are invited to enter Natick’s annual Oldtown Photo Calendar Competition, a community-building tradition organized by the Eliot Church.

Now in its 17th year, the show brings in hundreds of community members to see photographers’ perspectives on the Natick area, not to mention the fun of competition and the sense of history and community from the event. Images captured in Natick, Dover, Sherborn, Wellesley and Needham are eligible. Photographers of all skill levels are welcome.

Oldtown Photo Competition, Natick — We love our Oldtown Photo Calendar. It keeps us on track in the Natick Report newsroom/kitchen.

The show will take place in the historic Eliot Church sanctuary at 45 Eliot Street in South Natick. On Sunday, October 16, come vote for your favorites, and check out the just-published 2023 calendar, featuring the winners from last year’s competition.

Photographers, please register here.

Important dates for Oldtown Photo contest

Registration deadline; October 7, 2022
Show Setup; October 15, 3-5 PM (at the Eliot Church, 45 Eliot Street)
The Show; October 16, 11 AM – 3 PM
Photo pickup after the show; October 16, 3-4 PM

Open studios weekend

The Old Town Photo Competition is part of Natick Artist Open Studios weekend, which takes place Saturday, October 15th & Sunday, October 16th 11am-5pm. Over 30 artists will either open their studios all over town to the public, or set up their work in Natick Center locations. More information coming soon.

Still time to apply for Natick Cultural Council grants

September 26, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Natick Cultural Council is accepting grant applications until Oct. 17 from those who have great ideas for arts, humanities or science projects that would benefit the Natick community.

The Council has more than $14K to divvy up for projects in fiscal year 2023.

Last year’s grants ranged from $200 to $1,000, and included programs such as hip hop dance chair exercise for seniors, know Natick history, and juggling.

Ask questions of the Council at natickculturalcouncil@gmail.com

We once scored a Wellesley Cultural Council grant for a project called Wellesley Dump Art.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

Morse Institute Library launches card design contest

September 21, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

One way in which the Morse Institute Library is celebrating its 150th year in 2023 is by inviting Natick residents or any Minuteman Library Network card holders to submit original designs for new library cards. The deadline for entries is Friday, Sept. 30 at 6pm.

While it’s a little surprising that physical cards will even be needed in 2023, the library plans to announce six winners whose designs will be featured on limited edition cards. Two winners will be chosen in three age categories (under 11, 12-17, and 18-plus) and receive $150 apiece.

Artists will have their work cut out for them besting the design on my vintage library card.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

Natick dedicates Erica “Ricky” Ball Community Garden

September 10, 2022 by Admin 1 Comment

Thank you to correspondent Christine Schell for the following story and photos.

“Erica, we love you!” declared opening speaker Randy Waters, Director of the Natick Housing Authority, at the Erica Ball Community Garden dedication on September 8. Nearly 75 people attended the event, with several local and state leaders speaking passionately about Erica “Ricky” Ball’s commitment to and outsized influence on Natick.

Erica Ball, Natick Community Garden — Erica “Ricky” Ball at the dedication of the Erica Ball Community Garden.

Ricky perched center stage at her own picnic table, while husband Jay Ball stayed with the crowd taking photos of the speakers and Ricky.

Natick Select Board member Paul Joseph teared up during his speech, then took a breath and forged ahead, drawing parallels between Ricky’s 60-year dedication to Natick and the Garden’s purpose of nurturing community and nourishing people.

Erica Ball Community Garden, Natick — Paul Joseph seated with Ricky after giving his speech

Slam poet Jamele Adams performed a poem honoring Ricky, calling her a “boss” who “leaves a mark on your skin, brain, and heart.”

Other speakers in attendance included Natick resident and MA State Rep David Linsky, and Massachusetts Senate president Karen Spilka who called Ricky a “giant in the Natick community in every aspect of the word” and a “beacon of a public servant.”

But the fan favorite, the true luminary, and the brightest star of the night was Ricky. She reflected on the many positive changes in Natick over the years, and expressed humorous regret that she and Jay have chosen this time to relocate to Canton. She said that coming to Natick was the best thing that ever happened to her, and then promised, “I’ll be back.” If you know Ricky, you won’t doubt that.

Be a part of Natick’s growth industry

Natick has four community gardens—The J.J. Lane Park Gardens at 185 Speen Street; the Eric Markman Interfaith Community Gardens near A Place to Turn at 99 Hartford Street; Navy Yard Park Community Gardens at 56-48 Washington Avenue; and the Erica Ball Community Gardens, behind the Housing Authority offices at 72 South Main Street.

Registration information on how to sign up for your own garden plot.

Questions about the community gardens program can be directed to the Community Gardens Coordinator at communitygardens@natickma.org or by calling 508-647-6400 ext. 2013.