Medford Arts Center, Incorporated (MACI) encourages and promotes the arts in Medford, Massachusetts through arts appreciation and education. In addition, MACI provides support for Medford artists.
Our goals include:
- Establishment of an arts center as a community resource for the arts.
- Providing a space through the Medford Arts Center for exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, workspace and the free exchange of ideas among artists and the Medford community.
- Encouraging the development of diverse art forms to include visual, performance and written media.
- Implementing activities to exhibit and encourage artistic growth.
MACI depends solely on the volunteer efforts of patrons of the arts in Medford and the surrounding communities. Our success is dependent on the involvement and contributions of funds and time of those who wish to promote the art culture and community. Come join us and see what we are all about...attend our next meeting and offer suggestions on how we can expand and evolve.
MEDFORD ARTS CENTER, INC. NEWSLETTER
June, 2009
June, 2009
Hello Everyone!
We thought we would keep everyone up to date on what is going on with MACI by introducing this newsletter. It is a good way to keep you all informed and it cuts down on the guessing or emailing.
Since last October we have gone through many changes. You may already know that we received a large donation from an anonymous donor and that June Holwell stepped down as President because she was moving back to her home town outside of New Orleans. Since then we have elected new people to our board. Our annual election was in May at the slave quarters in the Royall House. I was elected President (Patty Saunders), Ruth Carr is Treasurer, Kate Moynihan is Secretary, and Rob Dilman, Adele Travisano, Larry Murphy and Jay Hurd are directors.
We have had three events so far this year. The first showcase for artists was in January at the Hyatt Place hotel in Medford Sq. It included 10 artists in the lobby of the hotel and we had a very good turn out - the hotel wants to collaborate again with MACI for future events. In February we had the 12th annual Mabray “Doc” Kountze film and arts festival at the Cohen Auditorium at Tufts University. A very good time and the films were well received by the audience. We also had Teri Lynne Carrington perform with her band mates from Berklee; Teri Lynne is a West Medford native and well renowned jazz drummer. The third event was the second showcase for artists which was held in Cambridge at the Out of the Blue Art Gallery on Prospect St. Six MACI photographers participated and their work will be shown for the month. Reception was fun at the gallery and Jeremy Lyons and the Delta Billy Boys entertained us. Photos from all events can be viewed on the MACI website at www.medfordarts.org.
Since January we have had a pro Bono consultant, an adjunct Professor from Tufts, David Hastings, help MACI with its finances and getting our ducks in a row so to speak, we appreciate all the help that Mr. Hastings has given us and very grateful indeed.
As many of you know we tried to look into renting some commercial space in the square a while back for an arts center, but we soon found out it would not be feasible at this time. We still have hopes of one day having some kind of presence in the square and that we will take the time to fully look into all the pros and cons of obtaining affordable space.
Sadly we will not be having an arts festival this year. A children’s festival that would have involved the schools was in the works but the coordinator of the event had other obligations. The grant was for that and not the outdoor festival we usually have in the square. We do have two more showcases for artist’s exhibits. One still date to be determined in the fall at The Century Bank on Mystic Ave and one at City Hall. If anyone has any questions please send an email to pattysfotos@msn.com regarding the exhibits.
Tufts University also had invited us back for next year for the Kountze film festival. They suggested a two day event with artists in the lobby. We thought that would be a great idea. We would of course be looking for volunteers for the planning and the days of the event. Please anyone willing to volunteer contact us.
The Kountze festival and the arts festival are two events that require lots of planning and volunteers and with just a few of us cannot handle both. Anyone interested just contact MACI. When you become a member remember your name goes on the directory list with a link to your website. So if your name is there let us know your website address.
Oh I would like to make a clarification. MACI is Medford Arts Center, Inc. MAC is Medford Arts Council, WMOS is West Medford Open Studios and they are a separate non-profit organization with different board members.
Well I hope everyone has a joyful summer and we will be in touch with more updates. Again please check out MACI website.
Have fun at the beach!
Patty Saunders
MACI President
Pictures from the photography Show at the Out of Blue Art Gallery
The 2009 Mabray "Doc" Kountze
Art and Film Festival
The 2009 Mabray "Doc" Kountze Art and Film Festival was held on February 22nd, at the Cohen auditorium at Tufts University.
Here's some images from the festival. Flash plugin required.
Donate to Medford Arts Center Inc.
In '08, state funding for the arts had been severely cut back. Funding in '09 is likely to be even thinner. Donations in any amount to help support MACI will be greatly appreciated. We thank you in advance.
