The initiative is a way to showcase regional artists while promoting an appreciation of the arts, Southwick Cultural Council vice president Patricia McMahon said.
Patricia A. McMahon, vice president of the Southwick Cultural Committee, stands behind a pioneer chair on display at the Diane Mason Insurance Agency at 504 College Highway.SOUTHWICK – Organizers of a cultural project are hoping to spur a greater, town-wide appreciation of the arts when the year-long venture culminates next summer with a colorful display of vividly painted pioneer chairs to be auctioned at a gala celebration.
The Cultural Council is sponsoring a project that is beginning with a call to regional artists to share their talents by turning 15 pioneer chairs into works of art.
The initiative is a way to showcase regional artists while promoting an appreciation of the arts and fostering a deeper sense of community, said Patricia A. McMahon, vice president of the cultural council.
“This is a way to dip our toes in the water of public arts,” she said. “The project provides another opportunity for area residents to enjoy the visual arts and to promote the regional artisans of Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.”
All 15 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 unusual 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 will receive a $50 stipend for materials and supplies, she added. So far, seven artists have expressed an interest in participating in the project.
Once the 15 artists have been selected and the chairs are transformed into works of art, they will be displayed in the spring at various locations throughout town, including Town Hall and businesses along College Highway, which is in the midst of a major facelift.
In addition to putting the spotlight on the arts and beautifying the town with the finished product, the chairs will 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 Cultural Council is accepting applications from all regional artists. The chair can be viewed at the Diane Mason Insurance Agency, 504 College Highway weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Interested artisans may pick up an application and guideline packet at Town Hall, or download it from the town website, www.southwickma.org/cultural. Deadline for the application is July 31.
Any questions regarding the application or guideline may be directed to McMahon by email to southwickpat@comcast.net or by calling (413) 569-6531.
