West Boylston Arts Foundation to Tour Wachusett Reservoir Art Path

Monday, February 04, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Artists and lovers of the arts are invited to join the West Boylston Arts Foundation on a self-guided tour of the Wachusett Reservoir Art Path Sunday, February 10th.

The Wachusett Reservoir towns include Boylston, West Boylston, Clinton and Sterling. The stops will include close to 20 locations showing the best work of reservoir town artists and artisans, plus the most notable local galleries, shops, boutiques and museums.

There will truly be something to see for every art lover, from pastel, acrylic, and watercolor paintings, to pottery, woodwork, metal sculpture, African art, Russian icons, fashion accessories, and antiques.

"It's a chance to meet and really get to know a lot of the area art creators in their homes and studios. And a ride around the Wachusett Reservoir is always a nice tour for people to enjoy one of Central Massachusetts scenic features," says Mark Baldi, the President of the West Boylston Arts Foundation.

The goal of the tour reflects the greater mission of the West Boylston Arts Foundation according to Baldi.

"The purpose of WRAP is simply to strengthen the arts network in the Wachusett Reservoir towns and help promote the local artists and businesses that are enriching the area culturally... Working with our area artists builds bonds, increases our visibility, and shows the public that art is right here in our communities where all of these creative people got their start, often in public schools," he says.

Joceyln Willis of the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton agrees.

"As a cultural institution we strive for the chance to share with the public all we have to offer,” she says. “We support the West Boylston Arts Foundation’s goal of keeping the arts an important part of one’s community."

Many of the participating institutions and locations are offering special deals and specials. The Museum of Russian Icons, for instance, is offering reduced admission prices. Aimee Klee Jewelry in West Boylston will be offering a free gift with a $20 purchase.

"I chose to participate in the event, because I love supporting local events and I feel the arts are so important in communities and it's great for ours school and our children," Aimee says.

Painter Lynn Babineau of West Boylston is working on a special Valentine's Day theme this year at her home studio and is planning on donating a portion of her sales directly to the West Boylston Arts Foundation.

"It is a great opportunity for me to showcase my work and also interact with other artists and art collectors. I'm interested in getting feedback on what the people in the community would be interested in as far as classes and other events, " she says.

Carrie Crane will be setting up with Cheryl Clinton at Clinton's home studio in Boylston. It will be a bit like walking through a gallery says Crane, and there will definitely be snacks.

"Open studio events are quite popular in urban areas but are more challenging to pull off in rural ones. This is a wonderful attempt to overcome that and as with other events like this, the more participating artists the better so I joined in, " she remarks.

A list of all this year’s participants include: Mark Waitkus, Aimee Klee, Lynn Babineau, Kate Angell at Wayside Antiques, Lynn Pelto, Lucilia Downer, Kevin Nee, and Becky O’Brien in West Boylston; Collins Artworks, Sunrise Boutique & African Art Gallery, Sooo Chic Boutique, Museum of Russian Icons, Tinker’s Cart, Boston Studio Photography West, Coffeelands Worlds Gifts Espresso Café, Thai Time Restaurant & Gallery, and China Time Restaurant & Gallery in Clinton; Nancy Von Hone and Cherie Clinton in Boylston; plus Stephen Koleshis of Sterling.

The tour will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, visit the West Boylston Arts Foundation website or find them on Facebook.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the predicted snowstorm, the West Boylston Arts Foundation has changed the date of the Wachusett Reservoir Art Path (WRAP) to Sunday, February 10th.