Life's Work of Westford Art Legend on Display at the PCA

In the forty years before his death in 2007, William Millett spent each and every day at the J.V. Fletcher Library, walking there from his home on Graniteville Road.

He became known as one of the quintessential personalities of Westford, and now his life's work will be on display for the world to see.

Born in 1922, Millett studied art in Venice, Paris and Boston, working in the historic Fenway Studios before moving back to Westford in the 1960s.

Once home, he became a local legend over time for reasons as myriad as the time in Lowell he saved a man from a burning car to his habit of wearing a plastic grocery bag over his hair instead of an umbrella when it rained.

But above all, he was known for his art.

"He would always be sketching portraits here in the library in the periodicals," said J.V Fletcher reference librarian Virginia Moore. "I'm really glad he's finally getting some recognition, he was such a talented artist."

Over time, paintings accumulated in his house, leading to a rediscovery and restoration of his work shortly after his death by friends and neighbors.

Selected works from his home will be on loan to the Parish Center for the Arts, with gallery hours for his oil paintings continuing from 12 to 2 on June 3, followed by a collection of his watercolors and pastels later in the month of June.

More information is available on the Parish Center for the Arts website and the William Millett website.