MBACC Hosts 'Commonwealth Conversations'

From MBACC: Mother Brook Arts & Community Center hosted state lawmakers from across the state as the first stop on the State Senate’s “Commonwealth Conversations” tour of the South Shore.

The visitors toured the center, which is housed in the old Avery Elementary School at 123 High Street in Dedham. Senators visited artists’ studios, complimented the performance space—which will host a series of performances this spring—and discussed ongoing efforts to retrofit the building to add accessible restrooms.

Senator Mike Rush (D-Norfolk & Suffolk), who represents Dedham in the Senate, hosted the stop. “I was very pleased that part of the Senate’s Commonwealth Conversations tour took us to Mother Brook Arts and Community Center,” said Rush. “This building, and all the wonderful programs that go along with it, is one of kind here in the Commonwealth.

“My colleagues were extremely impressed with not only the center, but the community support around it. It is my hope that this endeavor continues to expand and prosper and becomes a model for other communities that support the arts and culture that our residents can offer.”

Ceramicist Josephine Burr found herself showing off her recent work to 15 legislators in cramped quarters. “My studio right now is full of work because I’m about to install a show next week [at Bentley University], so it’s quite tight in here,” she said, laughing.

Burr said Mother Brook offered a needed expansion after several years working in a small home studio, after her children were born. “I told them what a gift it’s been to have the space to work,” she said. “Mother Brook came along at just the right time. It’s allowed me to resume my work as a professional artist, and there’s an increasing feeling of community here.”

Rush was joined by Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester) and Senators Michael Brady (D-2nd Plymouth & Bristol), Julian Cyr (D-Cape & Islands), Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth & Barnstable), Linda Dorcena Forry (D-1st Suffolk), Adam Hinds (D-Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden), John Keenan (D-Norfolk & Plymouth), Thomas McGee (D-3rd Essex), Michael Rodrigues (D-1st Bristol & Plymouth), Richard Ross (R- Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex), James Timilty (D- Bristol & Norfolk), and Walter Timilty (D- Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth).

“A thriving arts environment is essential to the overall health, sustainability and vibrancy of our communities,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg. “The Mother Brooks Arts and Community Center is helping Massachusetts remain a cultural capital as a shining example of how the arts can make a lasting impact for all. I am pleased we were able to highlight the arts at the Center as one of our themes of the Commonwealth Conversations tour stop in the South Shore.”

The visit was also attended by Dedham Board of Selectmen Chair Dennis Guilfoyle and member Mike Butler, Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-11th Norfolk), Dedham Economic Development Director John Sisson, Dedham Savings Bank President Peter Brown and Executive Vice President Gerry LaVoie, and representatives of multiple other Dedham agencies and institutions. Mother Brook Executive Director Jean Ford-Webb and Board Members Dan Hart, Jessica Porter, Hope McDermott, Pamela Layton and Iris Sonnenscein were on hand, along with many of Mother Brook’s artist tenants.

Photos courtesy of MBACC