Lost Without ArtSpace

 It’s been about seven months since I’ve been able to work in my studio at ArtSpace Maynard. That’s where my hats are born and where I make my mixed-media collages. I’m feeling a little lost without ArtSpace; a place where I could go on a daily basis to pour out my creativity, and gather with fellow artists. It’s where we would exchange ideas, offer critiques, and provide encouragement to each other.

Over the years, ArtSpace has worked ever harder to create a more vibrant space to welcome and inspire people from Maynard and the surrounding areas. In 2020 and 2021 some work done on our building revealed safety concerns and consequently half of the building needed to be closed to use. My studio was one of the ones affected. I am just one of the nearly two thirds of our artists who have been displaced. 

I have met so many people in Maynard through my various interests, but none have brought me as much of a sense of community as ArtSpace has. I joined in 2004–it's hard to believe that it’s been eighteen years. Little kids that tried on hats with me when they were in preschool are now off at college! Through the years, my studio at ArtSpace has given me more of a connection to Maynard. It gave me a place where I could welcome people, where we could talk, laugh, and share. We’d chat about the town, artmaking, the other artists; really whatever people were interested in. 

As the years passed, whenever ArtSpace would be hosting community events, like Open Studios or the Holiday Sale, I always struggled about whether to be in my studio putting hats on people (which I really love to do, I might add) or welcoming people to this special place. The struggle was because, as much as I love putting my hats on people, I really love to share the community of ArtSpace–I love to take people through the building and introduce them to the amazing artists we have here. I love to talk about what I know about our various artists and share insights I’ve learned about their art. I love the shy curiosity new visitors bring, and I love even more having them leave with connection, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the varied processes of making art. 

My hope is that all the artists will be back in the studio soon and that we’ll be opening our doors to the community again, but it seems more likely that it won’t be till the summer. Our Board of Directors is being very thoughtful about hiring the right people and listening to all the experts to get us through this whole difficult process. So while I really long to be there making my hats, I’m confident that when we come out of this we’re going to be in much better shape than we have ever been. One of the most important things we need is to have the town renew our lease. You can help by letting the Selectboard know that you value ArtSpace in the community.

I hope you’ve had a chance to visit ArtSpace. If you haven’t, I look forward to welcoming you there when all this is done. If you want to keep track of ArtSpace, if you're interested in getting a studio (put your name on a waitlist), or if you want to make a donation (we are a nonprofit, 501c3 organization), here’s a link. If you would send a note to the Selectboard letting them know that we are important to Maynard, I would really appreciate it. You can send notes to: Select Board, 195 Main St., Maynard, MA 01754, or email Becky Mosca (she's the Select Board's Admin) at bmosca@townofmaynard.net. Thank you so much!