WESTFIELD-ArtWorks of Westfield – which was simply a “wishful idea” two years ago – has blossomed into a growing community of artists who are eager to bring the creative talents of city residents to light.
Board members of ArtWorks of Westfield, Inc., tour the Episcopal Church of the Atonement facility for its upcoming Articulture WESTFIELD event. (Submitted photo)
“The energy of the team is electrifying with so much dedication from each of the leaders producing wonderful ideas, excellent communication, and following through in what task each volunteered for,” said Cheryl Crowe, who serves as treasurer of ArtWorks.
During a Jan. 20 “brainstorming leadership meeting,” Crowe noted the discussion involved a year-long plan to host various events, collaborate with Westfield on Weekends (WOW) on several future events, offer more fundraising/sponsorships to host local events, and increase artist participation of all backgrounds and ages.
“With so many backgrounds of this leadership team and unique abilities, we are one solid team,” said Crowe.
Bill Westerlind, who serves as ArtWorks president, echoed those sentiments.
“Our January strategic planning session was simply outstanding,” said Westerlind. “Our leadership team works extraordinary well together and we came out of the meeting with a full year of events and activities.”
Westerlind added that ArtWorks is a “bottom-up organization” with all ideas and creative activities emanating from the artists and members of the group.
“We thrive on community involvement and engagement,” said Westerlind.
The group’s signature event – Articulture WESTFIELD – is planned April 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Court Street. An opening reception is slated April 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.
“Articulture is the celebration of local creativity, a blend of gallery art, authors and literary experiences and music all under one roof,” said Westerlind. “The event is free to the public and will feature over 50 artists, authors and musicians. This is our third annual presentation of Articulture WESTFIELD and promises to be our best one yet.”
Also in April – in celebration of National Poetry Month – Westerlind said ArtWorks will celebrate the poets of Westfield and the surrounding communities with a Pictures & Words Poetry Contest and open mic poetry events.
As the year unfolds, Westerlind said that ArtWorks members will team up with WOW in May to revive the Arts on Elm Downtown Westfield Artwalk.
“This summer we are also taking a more active role in the Open Air Open Mic series that will take place each week on the Green during June, July and August,” said Westerlind.
Additionally, Busker’s Day will be back on June 23 in conjunction with the Westfield Athenaeum Summer Reading Kick Off event on the Green, World Art Drop Day is slated Sept. 4, the second annual ArtWorks Westfield Art & Author Show will coincide with the Westfield PumpkinFest, and the season closes out with the Images of Westfield Art Show.
A series of lectures and workshops to promote a source of support for local artists is also planned throughout the year, with topics to include: “Framing and Pricing Art Work,” “Art Review,” “Advertising Your Work,” and “How to Present Your Work/Curating.” All hour-long programs are $10 with dates soon to be finalized.
Programming still in development ranges from an ArtWorks Westfield Juried Fine Art Show, MASS Creative Art Matters activities and a Behind the Scenes – Making Music event where musicians share their experiences of creating music and writing songs, to a Local & Regional Author Reading Series and an Under 25 Art Show.
“We are a small but powerful, unique team of leaders with diverse abilities to promote all artists of different backgrounds and ages,” said Crowe. “ArtWorks of Westfield, Inc., is predominately made up of all types of artistic backgrounds giving all artists a voice for a long succession of cultural arts in Westfield.”
Westfield artist Ashley Boettcher, a new board member, concurred.
“Westfield is chock-full of closeted artists, and an organization like ArtWorks with events such as Images of Westfield or Articulture help bring the community together to recognize and celebrate artists in their medium,” said Boettcher. “ArtWorks is turning the corner on promoting vibrant talent in the city, which will stimulate small businesses, bring culture forward as an attraction and allow artists to promote their work.”
All ArtWorks events and activities are funded through small grants, donations and annual memberships. Donations and membership information can be found on its Facebook page.
“Even the smallest donations make a significant difference so we encourage folks to help us support the arts in Westfield by becoming a member,” said Westerlind.
Board members also include councilor Andrew Surprise, Marion Dunk, Wayne Weatherwax, Susan Buffum, Donna Carmel, Richard Cowles, John Nardacci, Jr., and Danny Nason.
Westerlind noted that board members seek to leverage empty or underutilized commercial space within the downtown metro area to conduct pop-up art and cultural events.
“We breathe some life into the dormant space, provide a relatively inexpensive platform for local artists to show their work, attract residents to the downtown area and drive foot traffic into some of the downtown businesses,” said Westerlind, adding, “everybody wins.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can send an email to [email protected], or attend an artist meet and greet, a workshop, or an art event.
“We always welcome any involvement,” said Crowe.
