Center for the Arts a Local Masterpiece

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is a freshly painted canvas in town, adding color and texture as they continue to grow in the community. Located in Old Town Hall on North Road, the Chelmsford Center for the Arts is currently Chelmsford's only public art institution.

Susan Julian Gates had a vision years ago of an arts center where art, music and theater could be enjoyed and shared in her community. "I had actually been thinking about the Old Town Hall as an arts center for more than 10 years," said Gates. "What we are aiming for now is exactly what I had hoped for."

The Old Town Hall was on the verge of being closed unless the Town Housing Authority approved a proposal for use of the space. Gates quickly created a flier about her idea to create a place that offered art, music, and theater to the public. She invited members of the community to join her for an art gallery showcase to prove to the town how valuable an arts center could be.

"I handed out fliers to everyone at town meetings and sent messages to local artists," said Gates. "And they all showed up to support my idea."

The gallery was a success, and Gates' new group of supporters went to the town manager, who approved the proposal to open the Chelmsford Center for the Arts. The center officially opened on Nov. 7, 2009.

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts houses various types of art throughout the historical building. Paintings, art pieces and photography are displayed on the walls. The auditorium upstairs offers a larger space for people to have the opportunity to host different types of events, such as concerts, theater performances or art festivities.

Four studios are also on site and occupied by artists, including Amy Aker, a Chelmsford public school art teacher, Donna Berger, a graphic artist and book illustrator, and William Brandon, a painter.

Gates is constantly brainstorming ideas for different themed-galleries each month.

"The gallery shows are a way to get more artists involved at one time," said Gates. "Having a subject matter for a show is just another way to tie the work together. I think it is interesting to see different artist's interpretation of the same subject."

This October, in honor of United Nations Month, the center will celebrate with an Indian Folk Festival and a gallery of summer travel art pieces. In December, they will feature a gallery called "Scenes at the Farmers Market" featuring the work of artists that have set up their easels on Thursday afternoons down at the Farmers Market, painting the scene of this popular event in town. All event listings, times and ticket prices can be found on the center's site.

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is open Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. as well as during special events. Gates is always looking for volunteers to help the center to continue to grow, and for local artists to contribute to their gallery.  Look for big things happening at the center next year as there are plans to restore the building, add an elevator, kitchen and more bathrooms.

"Having the building restored and completely handicap accessible is very exciting," said Gates. "I look forward to building our membership and getting people used to the idea that great art is happening in our own town."

For more information about the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, or for calendar of programs and events, visit www.chelmsfordcenterforthearts.org or join their fanpage on Facebook.