3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third at the Franklin Public Library, May 10

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third

Since 2023, Franklin Public Library and the Franklin middle schools have joined forces to host world-renowned graphic novelists and celebrate the art of storytelling. On May 10, Franklin's 3rd annual Pen to Picture Festival will welcome Raúl the Third to the Franklin Public Library. This town-wide event is free and open to all families. 

Raúl the Third will share his process, art, and latest titles. He is the author and illustrator of many elementary and middle grade books, including The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day, Stuntboy: In the Meantime, Stuntboy: In-Between Time, The Lowriders series, and multiple picture books. Breakout sessions, photo ops and book signing will also be available.

Pen to Picture originated three years ago, the result of a collaborative effort among Ms. Bree Comeau (Franklin Public Library Asst. Youth Services Librarian) and Franklin middle school reading specialists Pam Allard and Erin O’Leary. The three literary leaders recognized their students’ growing appetite for the graphic novel format and sought funding from their schools’ parent organizations to create a town-wide festival. Pen to Picture’s mission is to expose Franklin families to contemporary titles and creators and foster the creative relationship between art and the written word. 

In its first year, the program welcomed Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares, and Maris Wicks; built on its overwhelming success, Pen to Picture welcomed Jarrett J. Krosoczka the following year.  

Graphic novels (a literary format) have exploded in popularity and both librarians and reading specialists are excited to welcome local authors and illustrators to engage students in an appreciation of the genre, learn about the process and time required to develop a graphic novel, and champion the relationship between visual arts and storytelling. We invite the community to join us at the library on Saturday, May 10. 

This year, Pen to Picture is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

Deadline to sign up is April 30 -> Franklin PorchFest 2025

LAST CALL to Join the Music! 

Franklin PorchFest 2025 is hitting the streets on Saturday, June 7th from 12–6 PM, and this is your last chance to be part of it!

Are you a band or solo performer ready to rock the block?
Do you have a porch and want to be a part of the biggest outdoor music celebration in Franklin?

Then don’t wait — register now at Franklin.PorchFest.Info!

Deadline to sign up is April 30th!

Be a host, be a performer, be part of the music and community that makes Franklin shine.

Let’s turn our porches into stages and our streets into a celebration!

Date set for Franklin’s 2nd Annual PorchFest - June 7, 2025

Have you heard about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event at the Library May 10 featuring Raul the 3rd? (audio)

FM #1424 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1424 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event scheduled for the Franklin Public Library May 10, 2025. We talk with Bree Comeau, Erin O’Leary and Pam Allard about this event with graphic novelist and illustrator Raul the Third. We recorded this conversation virtually on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. 

• Bree Comeau, Assistant Youth Services Librarian

• Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle School

• Pam Allard, Reading Specialist at Remington Middle School

We cover the following in our conversation

• Details of the event May 10

• Graphic novels an entry point for some readers

• Collaboration between Library and the schools

• Event is funded via grant from Mass Cultural Council

The recording runs about 29 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1424-3rd-annual-pen-2-picture-03-26-25/

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Pen 2 Picture info -> https://franklinma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pen-to-picture/ 

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhxb-vsN1yyqijCm34Rjwyvd_Tq67YIj/view?usp=drive_link 

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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 out. 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!

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

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

Have you heard about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event at the Library May 10 featuring Raul the 3rd? (audio)

Did you know that the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third ???

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third

Since 2023, Franklin Public Library and the Franklin middle schools have joined forces to host world-renowned graphic novelists and celebrate the art of storytelling. On May 10, Franklin's 3rd annual Pen to Picture Festival will welcome Raúl the Third to the Franklin Public Library. This town-wide event is free and open to all families. 

Raúl the Third will share his process, art, and latest titles. He is the author and illustrator of many elementary and middle grade books, including The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day, Stuntboy: In the Meantime, Stuntboy: In-Between Time, The Lowriders series, and multiple picture books. Breakout sessions, photo ops and book signing will also be available.

Pen to Picture originated three years ago, the result of a collaborative effort among Ms. Bree Comeau (Franklin Public Library Asst. Youth Services Librarian) and Franklin middle school reading specialists Pam Allard and Erin O’Leary. The three literary leaders recognized their students’ growing appetite for the graphic novel format and sought funding from their schools’ parent organizations to create a town-wide festival. Pen to Picture’s mission is to expose Franklin families to contemporary titles and creators and foster the creative relationship between art and the written word. 

In its first year, the program welcomed Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares, and Maris Wicks; built on its overwhelming success, Pen to Picture welcomed Jarrett J. Krosoczka the following year.  

Graphic novels (a literary format) have exploded in popularity and both librarians and reading specialists are excited to welcome local authors and illustrators to engage students in an appreciation of the genre, learn about the process and time required to develop a graphic novel, and champion the relationship between visual arts and storytelling. We invite the community to join us at the library on Saturday, May 10. 

This year, Pen to Picture is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

Another first for Town of Franklin with implementation of Art Pharmacy

of-franklin-launches-arts-prescriptions-to-support-community-well-being/

"The Town of Franklin recently became the first municipality in the United States to invest in a new, innovative tool to combat the ongoing impacts of the opioid crisis: Arts Prescriptions, the practice of referring patients to creative experiences such as music, visual arts, dance, and theater.

Funded through the Town’s opioid settlement funds, their Arts Prescriptions initiative is designed to support substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts within the community.

Arts Prescription is a proven tool for improving mental health and fostering resilience, and since 2020 Mass Cultural Council has been investing in and developing cross-sector partnerships to establish Arts Prescriptions in the Commonwealth."

Read the full article online at Mass Cultural Council ->   https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/the-town-of-franklin-launches-arts-prescriptions-to-support-community-well-being/

Shared from -> https://x.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1906703774229348527?

Performance by Dean College. Photo courtesy of the Franklin Cultural District

.

You can view the video of the Art Pharmacy event at THE BLACK Box on March 5

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/use-of-opioid-settlement-funds-to-bring_01941360544.html

Cultural arts a key force for our economy

Via the Mass Cultural Council 

On Monday, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt and Senior Director of Public Affairs Bethann Steiner testified before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways & Means in support of the Agency’s $28 million funding request for Fiscal Year 2026.

The hearing, which was held in Gloucester City Hall and chaired by Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Senator Jake Oliveria, was focused on the Governor’s H. 1 budget recommendations for various economic development focused secretaries, state agencies, boards, and commissions, such as the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Mass Cultural Council, Mass Board of Library Commissioners, Commission on the Status of Women, and the Cannabis Control Commission.

During their presentation, Mass Cultural Council’s representatives outlined the reasons for the Agency’s $28 million request and were available to respond to questions from the Committee members. Once the Committee completes its schedule of hearings, the House Committee on Ways and Means will release its spending plan for debate in April, followed by the Senate budget debate in May. FY26 begins on July 1, 2025.

Related to this action:

"Artists and cultural organizations fuel our economy, communities, and identities as a vital health and human service—yet too many are barely getting by.

Today Mass Cultural Council released the 2024 Massachusetts Cultural Asset Inventory. This comprehensive project, developed in collaboration with Diversity North Group, identifies and documents thousands of cultural organizations, programs, and individuals contributing to the state’s vibrant cultural landscape.

The Cultural Asset Inventory provides a wealth of information that will be instrumental in informing future cultural policies, programs, and initiatives. Its key findings are outlined in the Agency’s press release and detailed in a Summary Report, and County Fact Sheets."

Continue reading the article -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/this-is-a-wake-up-call/

Press release on Fact Sheets -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/2024-cultural-asset-inventory-reveals-key-insights/

Final report on Asset Inventory -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/2024_MA_Cultural_Asset_Inventory_Final_Report.pdf  or  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHBMogmqINexnjd7zdyK1-xI_dXIT3VZ/view?usp=drive_link

Norfolk County summary ->   https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/2024_MA_Cultural_Asset_Inventory_Norfolk_1pager.pdf  or 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13oWWJ3CqvQ9DHkvrzcfXyLvqWE5TNda3/view?usp=drive_link

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third - May 10 at 1:00 PM

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third

Since 2023, Franklin Public Library and the Franklin middle schools have joined forces to host world-renowned graphic novelists and celebrate the art of storytelling. On May 10, Franklin's 3rd annual Pen to Picture Festival will welcome Raúl the Third to the Franklin Public Library. This town-wide event is free and open to all families. 

Raúl the Third will share his process, art, and latest titles. He is the author and illustrator of many elementary and middle grade books, including The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day, Stuntboy: In the Meantime, Stuntboy: In-Between Time, The Lowriders series, and multiple picture books. Breakout sessions, photo ops and book signing will also be available.

Pen to Picture originated three years ago, the result of a collaborative effort among Ms. Bree Comeau (Franklin Public Library Asst. Youth Services Librarian) and Franklin middle school reading specialists Pam Allard and Erin O’Leary. The three literary leaders recognized their students’ growing appetite for the graphic novel format and sought funding from their schools’ parent organizations to create a town-wide festival. Pen to Picture’s mission is to expose Franklin families to contemporary titles and creators and foster the creative relationship between art and the written word. 

In its first year, the program welcomed Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares, and Maris Wicks; built on its overwhelming success, Pen to Picture welcomed Jarrett J. Krosoczka the following year.  

Graphic novels (a literary format) have exploded in popularity and both librarians and reading specialists are excited to welcome local authors and illustrators to engage students in an appreciation of the genre, learn about the process and time required to develop a graphic novel, and champion the relationship between visual arts and storytelling. We invite the community to join us at the library on Saturday, May 10. 

This year, Pen to Picture is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

Franklin PorchFest 2025 - Call for Bands and Porches: Register NOW Thru April 30!

Porchfest is coming back to Franklin, MA!! PorchFest an outdoor music event that will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a rain date of June 8th. 

Franklin PorchFest 2025

Come spend the day in Franklin’s beautiful Cultural District while listening to live music. Sole performers and full bands of all genres will be performing on porches and patios throughout the district. This walkable event is also the perfect opportunity to check out our local shops and restaurants. Public bathrooms will be available. 

If you would like to host a band or performer on your Porch or if you have a band or are a performer and would be interested in performing at Franklin PorchFest, go to Franklin PorchFest and register for the event.  All the information you need to register is on our website Franklin PorchFest. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Franklin PorchFest is made possible with investment funds granted from the Mass Cultural Council through the Franklin Cultural District and Town of Franklin. 

Save the date! Bands and Porches register now, we look forward to seeing you June 7th!  Web page -> https://franklin.porchfest.info/

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

FM #1396 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1396 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Art Pharmacy Community Conversation held at THE BLACK BOX on March 5, 2025. Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy opened the event with 3 panelists who made brief presentations and then participated in a Q&A session.

Panelists:

• Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural Council

• Emily Devlin, Art Pharmacy

• Amy Friguiletti, Deputy Town Administrator

The Q&A session of this is not shared, the audio quality was not sufficient.

The presentation portion of the event runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to overview of Art Pharmacy and how the Town of Franklin will be the first community to use their Opioid Settlement funds to  use this Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1396-art-pharmacy-community-comversation-03-05-25/

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** Presentation by Michael Bobbitt -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_g76jrwROR3wWehzLD5mDxrWk3zhk8Uo/view?usp=drive_link

Mass Cultural Council press release on Art Pharmacy -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/introducing-the-first-statewide-social-prescribing-solution-in-the-u-s/ 

Mass Cultural Council -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/ 

Michael Bobbit -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/about/staff/michael-j-bobbitt-bio/ 

** Presentation by Emily Devlin -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFFjIH-x0lHx53F8MMwxatqg_JoDJ35F/view?usp=drive_link

Art Pharmacy ->  https://www.artpharmacy.co/ 

Emily Devlin -> https://www.artpharmacy.co/about 

** Town of Franklin ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Amy Friguilett -> https://www.franklinma.gov/159/Administrator 

Cory Shea -> https://www.franklinma.gov/916/Arts-Culture-and-the-Creative-Economy

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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 out. 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!

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

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

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 ???

Wednesday, March 5

• "Look Up" Gallery (during Franklin Public Library open hours )

12:00pm Community Conversations (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on the Library & Senior Center calendar check the interactive version on the Town page -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**   Town Meetings today   **

Community Conversation at THE BLACK BOX

March 5, 2025, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

no agenda at this time

Town Council Meeting

March 5, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052025-1608 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars