New art gallery opens at Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center

Nov 7, 2019

MARION — Each month, the walls inside the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center are decorated with a new array of artwork, giving local artists a chance to showcase and sell their work, and giving the center a fresh new look for guests.

On Thursday, Nov 7, the center hosted an opening reception for the “Art for all Ages” gallery that will be on display until Dec. 2, allowing visitors to see the artwork on display, and interact with the artists behind the creations.

Artist Mary Ross helps organize the monthly galleries, and has several of her works featured in November’s display.

She said she often goes through phases where a particular theme will stand out in her work. Common themes on display at the community center include mermaids, and art inspired by a trip to Morocco back in the 1970s.

The painter and MassArt graduate also teaches others to hone their artistic pursuits. Her student, Betty DeVincent, is also showcasing an example of her work in “Art for all Ages.”

Ross said she had DeVincent make her depiction of a flower pot by using a combination of torn pieces of paper, and painting in the rest to create a coherent image.

Fellow MassArt graduate Jane Egan showcased her pastel painting of Pine Island Pond alongside work from her grandsons, Connor and Brady Walters. Egan said that she works with her grandsons, aged 17 and 15 respectively, in her home studio in Lakeville, and that “it’s happy hour for them,” as the trio paint and listen to music.

She also mentioned that her younger grandson is interested in pursuing a career in art.

Council on Aging Director Karen Gregory said that “the people that come into the center get so excited when a new show gets hung, [on the wall] they get to go around and take in all the artwork, and sometimes they go home with a treasure.”

She added that the money from sales goes directly to the artists themselves.

Themes for upcoming galleries in 2020 include  a senior show in January, photography display in May, and artwork no larger than 8 by 10 inches in October.

To have work featured in one of the community center’s galleries, visit in person at 465 Mill Street, Marion, or call Mary Ross at 508-748-0313.