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LOWELL, Mass.:
August 3, 2009 - This August, The Revolving Museum (TRM) will relocate
to the Western Avenue Studios complex in Lowell joining an extensive
cultural community that includes over 215 artists, charitable
organizations and profitable businesses. The Revolving Museum, which
will celebrate its 25th year this Fall, is entering into a new and
exciting phase by consolidating all programs under one roof.
"This move will
allow TRM to grow in ways that it has not been able to in the past,
noted Executive Director Diane Testa. We are very excited to secure a
new home where we can interact with a burgeoning creative enclave and
to continue our innovative community art programming. Western Avenue
Studios was an excellent choice in our search for a new Lowell
location; it is a natural fit to our mission of building community
through art. "
Since its move to
Lowell in 2002, TRM has produced over 200 cultural events, partnered
with dozens of Lowell artists, businesses and institutions. It received
the prestigious Commonwealth Award in 2007, the state's highest honors
in the arts, humanities and sciences, for its many years of community
art programming. TRM continues to transform lives through art with its
teen arts program directed by Diana Coluntino, the Youth Arts Program
Coordinator. So far in 2009 TRM's Vanguardian Art group has completed
three public mural projects and has formed a new fashion workshop
designing and creating garments and bags for sale. Another after-school
class teaches selling youth artworks via the internet through Etsy.com.
The innovative Artbotics program, now in its 4th year
recently received a $40,000 National Endowment for Arts grant in
recognition of this unique curriculum combining computer science with
visual design. TRM will produce its 4th public art celebration at Harmony Park in the Acre neighborhood in May 2010.
"This was a
difficult decision to make, announced Bob Forrant, President, of The
Revolving Museum's Board of Directors. But with the building for sale,
we needed to move forward as an organization and continue to grow and
play a part in the cultural growth of Lowell. The board is energized by
the pending move to the Western Avenue Studios and looks forward to an
exciting time in the large and growing community of artists there. We
evolve yet again!"
The Western Avenue
Studios opened its doors to working artists on September 1, 2005 and
now provides 143 studios to 215 working artists. Since then it has
become an integral part of the cultural life of the City of Lowell. In
addition to participating in the annual citywide Lowell Open Studios
and holding monthly First Saturday Open Studios, WAS houses a
cooperative gallery that represents 50 of the artists in the complex.
The summer of 2009 marked the fourth year of the Summer Art Program for
Children. The WAS complex is a series of mills building located at 122
Western Avenue in Lowell's Acre neighborhood.
"I am very much
looking forward to having Diane Testa, her staff and the teens they
work with join the Western Avenue Studios (WAS) community" said Maxine
Farkas, WAS artist. "Integrating The Revolving Museum's education
programs into the day to day life of the Studios will give the teens an
opportunity to interact with working artists as partners and members of
the community. At WAS we have long wanted to bring younger artists into
the community . . . this is the perfect solution and it will be
exciting to see what comes of this partnership."
TRM will continue
with its events and workshops scheduled in August at its current 22
Shattuck Street location in downtown Lowell directed by Gallery
Manager, Elaina Bates. Two one-day digital camera workshops will be
held on August 9th and 15th; the Quilt Festival gallery night is August 6th from 5:30 to 8:30; a still life drawing class on August 10th; acoustic music night is August 22nd
7pm; and Artbotics Workshops for middle schools students will be held
the first 2 weeks in August. Be sure to visit the "Show and Tell"
exhibition which will be on display through August 24th. Gallery hours are 11am to 4pm, Tuesday through Sunday, and general admission is free. Check the website for details www.revolvingmuseum.org/calendar.
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