Organization profile:
Dorchester arts gets boost with renovated building

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Hannah Byron, assistant secretary for Tourism Film and the Arts presented a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Martin O’Malley at the opening ceremony and reception. During the grand-opening weekend, the Center picked up 30 new memberships, Love says, adding that once the current renewal season for membership closes, the Center will have approximately 400 members. “This project has been well-supported by our community and, we have a board (of directors) that really cares,” Love says. The board was one of the considerations that influenced Love’s decision to leave northeast Ohio – where she had worked with nonprofits – a little more than a year ago to take the leadership position at the Center.

One of the initial events that Love introduced when she came to Dorchester was called “Guest Artist.” The Center pairs non-artists from the community – often prominent citizens – with professional artists. The tandems then have six to eight months to create a work of art that will be auctioned at an early spring gala. “It’s a yearly opportunity to expose people to art while also raising money at a celebratory event,” Love says.

Local broadcasting executive Troy Hill had his first experience with clay while working with Karen Bearman (both pictured above), an accomplished potter. Hill, who is also president of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, discovered an aptitude for the medium and, with Bearman’s encouragement, may start taking classes. His clay artwork raised the most money at the auction.

Activity around the Center has been surging since the late-August grand opening. The 32nd annual Dorchester Showcase – a fine arts and crafts fair that typically draws 3,000 to 5,000 people into downtown Cambridge – was the last weekend in September. The event, supported by Dorchester County’s Nathan Foundation, continued to be free to the public and featured approximately 100 vendors.

Dorchester Center for the Arts offers more than 80 instructional arts classes for adults and children throughout the year – ranging from the traditional art forms and media to such endeavors as decoy carving, furniture painting and stained-glass design.