This year, Glastonbury Arts celebrates its 60th anniversary with the launch of a capital campaign to renovate its Hebron Avenue Art Center. Enlarging the studio and gallery space, revising the interior plan to improve meeting, office, and storage space, and upgrading the building’s energy-efficiency and security systems represents an overview of the renovation plan.
Glastonbury Arts is halfway toward the renovation fund-raising goal of $129,000 through a generous grant from the Norma and Natale Sestero Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, donations from members, individuals and businesses, savings accrued over years of careful fiscal management, and a successful fundraising event on June 26 at Rose’s Berry Farm.
Founded in 1962 by professional artists, beginners with a brush, and art enthusiasts, those Glastonbury Arts founders would delight in today’s activities, springing from the seeds they planted 60 years ago. Glastonbury Arts, then and now, is all about creating engagement with the visual arts and improving the cultural life of our community.
Glastonbury Arts programming appeals to a diverse population, from professional artists to children, teens and adults looking for art instruction where they can learn from experienced artists in a supportive environment.
The popular “Got Art” series of art lectures and demonstrations presented by Glastonbury Arts provides another window into the creative experience. Six to ten programs are presented each year and are free to the public. Each artist and lecturer is an art professional, eager to share their knowledge, techniques, and sources of inspiration.
Art exhibitions are another form of engagement with the arts. Glastonbury Arts’ most widely known exhibition is the nationally recognized “On the Green” Fine Art & Craft Show presented every year. This year’s show will be Sept. 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The On the Green Show attracts 100 art exhibitors from all over New England, and the Eastern seaboard and show patrons from across the local region,” says show chair Katherine Simmons. “The fact that this is an all-volunteer effort is a pretty big feather in our cap showing that we can compete with national shows and present a popular and enjoyable experience for our community.”
This year, the show will also feature an exhibition of artwork by Glastonbury High School art students and their instructors and poetry readings presented in collaboration with Andrea Barton, Glastonbury Poet Laureate, and River Bend Bookshop.
Glastonbury Arts is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and is entirely reliant on the financial support and volunteerism of individuals and businesses that thrive in an environment of engagement, and creativity.
To donate to Glastonbury Arts Capital Campaign, go to glastonburyarts.org/capital-campaign.