Call for Artists - Artsy Box 2025 Project

The Franklin Cultural District is excited to announce the start of the Artsy Box 25' Project!  This year we are focused on the renewal of the box "Love Bugs" located on Town Common created by Ray Powers and Greyson Higgens.  

Call for Artists - Artsy Box 25 Project

We are calling on all local artists for designs that speak to the vibrant energy of Franklin. The selected artist will need to be able to prime and prep the box prior to painting it with the approved design. We are looking for artists that will add color and flare to our town.

If you'd like to be considered, get the Artsy Box submission form, by clicking the link; https://form.jotform.com/250844751079160  and complete and submit the form no later that April 25, 2025 by 3PM.  

A photo of the box that is being updated is shown here and is located on the Union Street side of the Town Common.

Additional photos of the box ->

Call for Artists - Artsy Box 2025 Project 1

Call for Artists - Artsy Box 2025 Project 2

Call for Artists - Artsy Box 2025 Project 3

Franklin Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy

Call for artists & More!

Dear Franklin Community, As I celebrate my first year as Director of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, I am deeply grateful for your support and enthusiasm. Together, we have strengthened connections among local businesses, artists, and residents, fostering a dynamic network that sustains and inspires cultural activity. Our collective efforts have not only enriched Franklin's cultural landscape but also contributed to economic growth, creating a thriving community where creativity and collaboration flourish. Click here to review our 2024 year together in the arts and cultural scene. I look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead! -Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Up next for FranklinMA250 Programs - Click here. Call for Artists | Franklin Sculpture Park click the headers below to learn more. About the Sculpture Park Currently on View Descriptions Partnership with Wheaton College Accessibility   The Franklin Sculpture Park Fairy House Exhibit is dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and strengthening community connections through public art. This exhibit invites participants of all ages to create and enjoy fairy houses crafted from eco-friendly materials, celebrating both creativity and environmental respect. Dates to Note March 22nd - Deadline for participation sign up April - Drop off Pieces at the Park [Dept, will contact via email date/times. May - October - On exhibit. November - Exhibition closes. Sign Up Here   By making art accessible and free to everyone, we aim to inspire a shared appreciation for nature, encourage sustainable practices, and build a welcoming community space where imagination and conservation come together.   Learn More about the Park   Franklin Community Calls for Artists & Other Creative Opportunities Franklin Art Association 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit. No Entry fee, open to all ages. Presented at the Franklin Historical Museum June 7 - June 22.  Registration deadline of May 23rd.  Have questions? Email the Franklin Art Association at faasecretary@gmail.com.  Artist Professional Development Suggestions Artist Lab: 2024 Tax Preparation for Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs Free Tax Course Other Calls for Artists New Bedford Art Museum Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US

FAA meeting to feature Shilpa Aduri

The Franklin Art Association's 2025 season will begin with our Wednesday, January 8 meeting, when our Guest Artist will be Shilpa Adduri, who will be giving a fine art, water-based media demonstration. 

Shilpa Adduri works in the technique called “One Stroke”, which combines shading, blending and highlighting in a single brushstroke.  She is a Master Elite Director of this style, which is central to her teaching.  Her lessons are aimed at helping others to uncover their art potential, while fostering joy and connection. Her approach offers creativity and moments of tranquility. She offers lessons locally. 

Shilpa Adduri

Wanting to be inspirational, Shilpa says, “My art captures the beauty and serenity I find in the world, expressed through acrylics and watercolors.”

FAA meetings are held at the Franklin Senior Center at 6:30 PM, on the first Wednesday of each month and are always free and open to the public. Refreshments are served at the break.

There will be an ongoing sale of raffle tickets for our raffle of works donated by FAA members to raise money for our annual art scholarship, which goes to a student choosing to continue their education in the study of the arts.

Please come by to see the wonderful creativity of local artists as they demonstrate their skills and support our scholarship fund. 

The FAA is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural District. 

You can find us online at www.franklinart.org, on Franklin Matters, Facebook and Instagram.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15hEmkafG6/

You can also listen to Shilpa talk about her Artsy Box work here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/shilpa-jeni-julia-talk-about-their-work.html

Talking art with Amy Adams (audio)

FM #1302 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1302 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Franklin artist extraordinaire Amy Adams. She is also a member of the Franklin Cultural District Committee. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, October 28, 2024.

 

Our conversation covers some of Amy’s work and approach

• Artsy Boxes

• “Finding the Light” coming the week of Thanksgiving

• “You are here” project in Natick 

• Food Pantry storage project 

• Wind phone plans 

• Asking questions to start conversations

The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1302-amy-adams-arts-culture-10-28-24/

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Painting Venus - Amy’s art portfolio page -> https://www.paintingvenus.art/ 

• Artsy box artist recording #1 ( with Shilpa, Jeni, and Julia)  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/shilpa-jeni-julia-talk-about-their-work.html 

• Artsy box artist recording #2 (with Molly Dee) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/molly-dee-talks-about-her-work-on-artsy.html 

• “You are here” in Natick -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XocjFL_HxZo 

• Food Pantry storage project -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/NjvmBZKtsqLpDPvF6 

• Wind phone plans -> https://www.mywindphone.com/united-states-windphones 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Talking art with Amy Adams (audio)

Franklin Cultural District extends deadline for the 2024 Artsy Box applications to Feb 28

It’s that time of year again! The Franklin Cultural District is searching for new artists to paint our Artsy Boxes.

We’ve been so tied up preparing that we will be adding on one more week to the due date, so we have more time to share. Hope to see your submission!

Please review the link below to submit!

Please disregard where you may see the earlier date. The new due date is by midnight February 28.

Application link -> 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xIkxjFWrBAzO49BHz35QPkT-pLo4K_x9/view

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C3nltloMT_Z/

Franklin Cultural District extends deadline for the 2024 Artsy Box applications to Feb 28

Applications for the Artsy Box Project 2024 are open & due Feb 21, 2024

The Franklin Cultural District invites you to participate in the Artsy Box Project 2024, funded by the Mass Cultural Council and the Town of Franklin.

The Artsy Box Project launched last year in 2023, with a new and exciting vibrant arrangement of colors to share throughout our cultural district. This year we have identified 6 new boxes and need your help to bring a fresh take on celebrating nature and community. 

Box locations are as follows:

• Union St. (Town Common)
• Town Common (by Gazebo)
• East Central St. (near Chestnut)
• West Central St. (Near Lot)
• West Central St. (near West St) 
• Main St. Parking Lot (Across Library)

We encourage artists of all backgrounds, established or emerging, to submit. Each artist can submit up to 2 designs on the provided template. Please be sure to submit descriptions for each submission. Selected artists receive a stipend between $250-$750, to cover paint, time, transportation, artistic development and labor. Boxes will be primed prior to starting.

Artwork and assignments will be evaluated by the Franklin Cultural District Committee and Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) for the Town of Franklin. 

Submissions are due by February 21st 2024 @3pm. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED

Artists will be notified of selections by March 15th, 2024.

Please select FCD to review checklist and submit. Please select BOX for Artsy Box Template.

Applications for the Artsy Box Project 2024 are open & due Feb 21, 2024

Molly Dee talks about her work on the Artsy Box Project near Davis Thayer (audio)

FM #1129 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1129 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Molly Dee. Molly is one of the artists who were selected for the Franklin Cultural District Artsy Box Project. The Artsy Box Project is now fully visible in and around downtown Franklin.

This is the second of a 2 part series. This is my conversation with Molly Dee. She is the artist who did the utility box at the corner near the former Davis Thayer School. It was good to talk with Molly. She surprised me with an answer to a simple question. 

The show notes contain links to the photos showing the before, in process, and finished works.

I hope you learn something about their art and appreciate a little more about the role of art in Franklin.

Let’s listen to my conversation with Molly. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1129-artsy-box-project-part-2-of-2-molly-dee

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For more about Molly Dee  https://www.mollydee.com/ 

Photo album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/jsb9UJfHbzpA13qp6   

Franklin Cultural District -> https://www.franklinma.gov/cultural-district-committee 

The first part is my conversation with Shilpa Adduri, Jeni LaBollita, and Julia Dwinell. These three conversations were recorded before the Artsy Box painting started (April 2023). Each artist provided some of their background, about their work, and in particular on their Artsy Box project.  The Recording of Part 1 ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/shilpa-jeni-julia-talk-about-their-work.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Molly Dee talks about her work on the Artsy Box Project near Davis Thayer (audio)