WESTFIELD- Hands at work are an integral feature of the Picture Westfield … at Work 2016 calendar which celebrates a cross section of workers in the city.
A preview reception and kickoff of calendar sales is planned Sept. 26 from 1-3 p.m. in the Reed Room of the Westfield Athenaeum. A continuous loop of all of the submitted photos will also be on view in the Reed Room through October on a 70” television screen as part of the media launch. Aaron’s has generously donated the screen and bluaray player for the photo screening.
“The photos depict a sampling of Westfield workers, paid or volunteer,” said Jayne Mulligan, one of the volunteer coordinators who have put together this fundraiser for the Westfield Athenaeum.
For the past few months, Mulligan along with Linda Saltus and Eileen Doherty, have been sifting through close to 700 submitted photographs to narrow down the chosen 200 photos in the calendar.
Appalachian Press in the city is producing the 14-month calendar, on 11” x 17” glossy stock paper. The cost is $20 and all proceeds raised will support the mission of the Athenaeum – to work to enrich the diverse community of Westfield.
“The Athenaeum receives city and state funds which we deeply appreciate,” said Saltus, who also serves on the board of directors. “In addition to the Athenaeum’s endowments, we also have to find ways to raise funds each year.”
Both Saltus and Mulligan noted during an interview they are eager to share their labor of love with the public and encourage city residents to either stop by on Sept. 26 during the reception or to pick up a copy at one of the downtown businesses.
“The calendar showcases the different people you meet around town,” said Mulligan. “The photos are a good sampling of what happens in Westfield every day.”
Saltus echoed Mulligan’s sentiments.
“The photo collection shows the varied and talented workers in our city,” said Saltus, adding, “The calendar is gorgeous and most importantly, proceeds raised support the Athenaeum.”
The women also noted that to ensure they were conserving paper, calendars are on alternating pages so there is no wasted space.
At the back of the calendar there are photo credits as well as notations for each month’s page. For example, December 2015’s page features photos from Marek Jewelers, Piece of My Art, Ev-Rite Tool, Stanley Park, City of Westfield Animal Shelter, Palmer Dairy Farm, Westfield Glass and Mirror, Polo Dental P.C., photographer Fred Gore, The Barber Parlor and the U.S. Postal Service.
For each month, a host of photos frame the calendar with a special inset of one worker featured.
“The photo project captures the diversity of the city’s workforce, from professionals to blue collar employees,” said Saltus, noting that pictures range from a farmer, machinist, student and volunteer to a musician, dentist, construction worker and dog groomer.
“Come see who you know,” added Mulligan, encouraging city residents to attend the reception.
Calendars will also be available at the Westfield News, 62 School St., Ezra’s Mercantile, 34 Elm St., Salon Thairapy, 338 Springdale Road, and on-line at www.westath.org. If purchasing a calendar on-line, there is a $5 shipping fee due to the calendar’s size.
