Unlike other nearby communities that have adopted fiberglass statues as mascots, Southwick embraced the pioneer chair for the “Have a Seat in Southwick” public art project.
This pioneer chair depicting the barns of the former Phil Hall farm, now The Ranch Golf Club, will be up for auction along with 13 other chairs. SOUTHWICK – A yearlong cultural project will reach its creative conclusion Saturday night when 14 pioneer chairs doubling as canvases for local artists to depict Southwick scenes are auctioned during a “beach party” at Town Hall.
Unlike other nearby communities that have adopted fiberglass animals as mascots, Southwick embraced the pioneer chair for the “Have a Seat in Southwick” public art project, introduced last spring for the purpose of providing an opportunity for area residents to enjoy visual arts and to promote the regional artists of Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut, said Ellen Miles on behalf of the Southwick Cultural Council.
“The chairs represent some of the distinct attributes of Southwick,” Miles said. “Examples include a chair with the barns from the original Phil Hall farm (now The Ranch Golf Course) in the background with a Holstein cow painted on the front. Another has all the things necessary for a day at the lake, and another a graphic depiction of a spring garden – all illustrations of the creativity the artists brought to the project.”
The chairs, transformed into works of art, have been on display at various Southwick establishments, including The Diane L. Mason Agency, Southwick Public Library, The Ranch and Southwick Florist, and will be auctioned tonight as part of the “beach party” festivities.
Funds from the auction will support cultural programming in town.
Susan Kochanski, chair of the Southwick Cultural Council said the 14 pioneer chairs were painted by local artisans Carolyn Avery, Carol Balise, Lora Barrett, Jennifer Bruno, Mischa Epstein, Samantha Guilbert, Kyle Hildreth, Jennifer Kowalski, Chester LaPlante, Melissa Moriarty, Dorene Pennell, Melanie Samay, B. A. Siniaho and Nicole Werth.
Patricia A. McMahon, vice president of the cultural council, said the initiative is a way to showcase regional artists while promoting an appreciation of the arts and fostering a deeper sense of community.
“This is a way to dip our toes in the water of public arts,” she said. The chairs, which Cultural Council members discovered at a camping show at the Eastern States Exposition, were purchased with council funds raised from other events, McMahon said.
The pioneer chair was chosen because of its unique design and the fact that it folds neatly, making it easy to move from one location to another.
“We were looking for something different,” she noted.
In addition to being provided with the chair, each artist received a $50 stipend for materials and supplies, she added.
In addition to putting the spotlight on the arts and beautifying the town with the finished product, the chairs will also highlight local merchants when they are displayed in front of town businesses.
“We have a small business community, and we are hoping to bring attention to them with the chairs,” McMahon said.
The festive, tropical beach party (without sand) will take from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on the front patio and the auditorium of the Southwick Town Hall. Music will be provided by the Charlie Galvin Band playing selections of folk, folk rock, country, country rock, southern rock and good ole time rock n’ roll. Beverages and snacks will be served.
The event concludes with the sale led by Auctioneer Joe Rossi. Admission to the event is free.