Archived news
>> Afghan Stories: Giving Women a Voice
In January 2008, the Belmont Gallery of Art exhibited photographs from Kabul and Kandahar by Photojournalist Paula Lerner in conjunction with the Belmont Public Library's One Book One Belmont townwide reading program featuring the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. The Kick-Off event for the One Book One Belmont program was held at the BGA featuring a Multimedia Presentation by Photojournalist Lerner and Special Guest, Rangina Hamidi, Field Director of ACS in Kandahar and CNN 2007 World Hero Award Finalist. Many news stories out of Afghanistan cover the ongoing insurgency and the hardships of war. But few tell of how people are rebuilding their lives in war's aftermath. A standing room only crowd of nearly 200 gathered for this program and lively discussion that offered a glimpse of daily life behind the headlines - a glimpse of optimism, offering hope for the future of war-torn Afghanistan.
This highly successful evening was again a vivid illustration of our Vision Statement in action. "The
Belmont Cultural Council recognizes that an essential benefit of the arts is
to strengthen community and broaden horizons. We are establishing a permanent
Gallery in the renovated Town Hall Annex which will be welcoming to all. The
town Gallery will showcase and encourage excellence in the visual arts within
our community, and provide a place where people of diverse interests can gather
for a stimulating exchange of ideas."
>> Art a la Carte
On Sunday, September 23, 2007, the Gallery held its first fundraising event. The two hour raffle, with over 40 works of original art and many local business gifts and gift certificates, was a delightful event. More than $10,000 of goods and services were raffled off. Many people were enormously helpful in the event but in particular we want to thank: Big Picture Framing, Angelato, Yum Bunnies Cakes and Brueggers Bakery for their generous support.>> Massachusetts Cultural Council Gold Star Award
The Belmont Gallery of Art was a 2007 recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Gold Star Award. The Gold Star Program annually honors exemplary projects funded by Local Cultural Councils across the state.
Gold Star awards are nominated by Local Cultural Councils and are evaluated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council based on a variety of criteria including: artistic quality, success in reaching out to underserved constituents, educational value, and ability to engage with the community. Collectively, Gold Star Projects demonstrate the ways that culture contributes to the quality of life in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.
>> MCC Grant Awarded to BGA
The Belmont Gallery of Art was awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for peer advisor assistance in the creation of a long term strategic plan for the gallery. The very thorough consulting session was completed with Dr. Dorothy Chen-Courtin, MBA, PhD, and the document for the plan has now been developed.The focus of the plan is how to achieve organizational and financial stabilization over the next 3 to 5 years while continuing to expand the viewing population. Plans include expansion of the volunteer committee, creation of signature fund raising events and use of satelite locations to create awareness of the gallery. For more information on the plan, please contact gallery administrator, Nan Rogers.