NORTHBOROUGH – For the second straight year, the Northborough Cultural Council (NCC) has transformed areas of Ellsworth McAfee Park into a public art exhibition.
The “Go Out Doors” exhibit features nine doors painted by local artists. The doors, several of which were originally part of an old – and recently demolished – house on Hudson Street and set to be discarded, were “upcycled” into colorful pieces that represent Northborough, the community and the outdoors.
“This is just one very convenient opportunity to upcycle the doors and create something really pretty,” NCC Treasurer Craig Cox told the Community Advocate. “[Hopefully] everybody that walks by… has a smile on their face, and they see something and it makes their day better.”
The exhibit highlights and supports local artists – who received a commission for their work – and makes art more accessible to the public.
“We have artists that are local… that have a lot to offer the community. You don’t have to go to the MFA or the Worcester Art Museum. [This art] is very attainable to enjoy,” NCC Chairperson Terry Underwood said.
“It doesn’t matter what time of day, what your socioeconomic level or place in society is. Just come – just come and enjoy, meet new people, get healthy,” she continued.
Nearly 100 people showed up on April 29 for the official start of the exhibit. Artists explained the inspiration for their pieces, and NCC organizers gave thanks to the enthusiastic crowd.
Local leaders were also in attendance, including Select Board Chair Mitch Cohen, state Rep. Kate Donaghue (D-Westborough), state Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D-Clinton) and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester).
“Public art not only activates public space… it also beautifies our community. It also activates our creativity, our imagination, [and] our potential,” Kennedy said.
Kilcoyne, who won an auction for a door during last year’s event, complimented the doors’ beautiful and intricate designs.
The Go Out Doors event is part of “LOVE Northborough,” the NCC’s larger five-year public art campaign designed to beautify the town.
The doors, on display at Ellsworth McAfee Park until June, will be auctioned off after the exhibition. Funds will go toward the LOVE Northborough art campaign and next year’s art exhibit.
For more information on the NCC, visit https://www.town.northborough.ma.us/cultural-council. The auction for the doors is now open; information can be found at https://www.32auctions.com/GoOutDoors.
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