Closing Thoughts on Finding The Light

Dearest readers and Painting Venus supporters, New Year’s Eve concluded the annual “Finding The Light” Art-Gift Away for 2023.

I cannot truly share the amount of joy I feel from your positive messages and support. 

I want to encourage you to continue to seek out things that bring you joy and share joy, as small as they may be. 

This year, I added on a bonus art piece for Christmas Eve and two for New Year’s Eve, gifted to the very patiently waiting families near Dean College. The additions brought up the Gifted Art total up to 7 this year! If you don’t know my style by now, the symbolism in that is quite significant.

It is always my intent to share LOVE and use my art for awareness and to UPLIFT others. Our world is hurting for so many reasons, additionally, so are many members of our community. I always hope that this scavenger hunt brings others a very intentional “light”during the holidays. If nothing else, I seek to continue helping build our community of loving neighbors.

So, if ever you find a piece and it doesn’t connect, please see that it may have been meant for someone you know and pass it along. 

I continue to remain thankful for all of your participation each year and look forward to sharing more with you all! 

May the New Year be kind and help us bring a little light, wherever it is needed. Let compassion, empathy and love be our infectious aspiration.

“We are all stars wrapped in skin, the light you seek has always been within -Rumi “

With gratitude,

Amy

Note: Thank you to Amy Adams, Franklin Artist and the sponsor of "Finding the Light", the Art Gift-Away for the month of December. Through her generous gift of art, Franklin residents were able to explore the Cultural District and discover arts & culture and joy. Your generosity is recognized and appreciated!

La Cantina Winery recently posted the following message on their social media.

"Our little shop was a hit for many tastings, events and gatherings where people came in as strangers and left as friends! After 12/31 one door will close and in early 2024 another door will open. Please join us this Thursday-Sunday and share a memory with us over a glass of vino. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support to our little Franklin winery. Stay tuned for the grand opening of our new location."

Note: Thank you to La Cantina Winery for your many contributions to arts and culture these past several years. We look forward to the grand opening of your new location!

The Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) was honored to receive a $15,000.00 Cultural District Investment grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) for the 2024 fiscal year. The FCDC decided to utilize some of the MCC grant funds to continue its Artsy Box Project. Additionally, the FCDC issued a request that Franklin Cultural District (FCD) Partners and others submit funding proposals for projects that support the goals of the Franklin Cultural District. 



Fourteen (14) funding requests totaling over $21,500.00 were received. At the December 14, 2023 FCDC meeting all funding requests were carefully evaluated, and the Committee voted to award at least some funding in support of all 14 projects.

The FCDC is pleased to announce the following funding awards:

• Children’s Museum of Franklin, funding towards the cost of Makerspace Materials
• Franklin Art Association, funding to cover a portion of the cost of printing a FAA banner
• Franklin Farmers Market, funding for entertainment during Farmers Markets in June 2024
• Franklin Food Pantry, funding for the cost of materials/services for a public art project
• Franklin Lifelong Learning, partial funding for a presentation to parents, and the general public, by Dr. David Murphy “Executive Functions Relevance for Creativity”; Strategies to develop and improve Executive Functions in the home"
• Franklin Performing Arts Company, partial funding towards the cost of "August: Osage County" 
• Franklin Porchfest Committee, partial funding of costs associated with initiating and promoting Franklin's inaugural Porchfest event
• Franklin Public Library, funding towards the cost of the “Irish in America” performance
• Franklin Public Library, Franklin Historical Museum, and Escape Into Fiction, funding to cover a portion of the cost of planning and implementing Franklin Book Week, “A Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of Language"
• Jon Mitchell, partial funding towards the cost of his Chamber Opera, Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter.
• Mary MacMurray, FPS Music Teacher, funding for the “Night of the Arts” 
• Mary Olsson, partial funding towards the cost of scanning and digitizing 600+/- Historic Glass Plate Negatives, and for a glossy print copy of each image
• Oak Street Elementary School, partial funding towards the cost of the Cultural Fair this spring on the Oak/HMMS Campus
• Temple Etz Chaim, partial funding towards the cost of the Israel Dance and Music Program.

Note: The Franklin Cultural District Committee is grateful for the continued support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Town of Franklin. Their contributions are integral to the vitality of the Cultural District and its artists, creatives, businesses, organizations, and institutions.

This Week in the Cultural District and Beyond

Wednesday, January 3, 10:00am to 11:00am, Veterans Coffee Social at Franklin Senior Center. Select Senior for information about this and other programs. Senior Center is located at 10 Daniel McCahill St.

Wednesday, January 3, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Franklin Art Association, monthly meeting at the Franklin Senior Center. The Franklin Art Association is excited to announce that painter Katie Kindilien will be the Demo Artist. The Public is invited to attend. Examples of her work can be found at www.katiekindilienfineart.com. Select FAA for more information. The Senior Center is located at 10 Daniel McCahill St.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Thursday, January 4, 5:30pm, Acoustic Jam Session at Franklin Senior Center. Select Senior for information about this and other Senior Center activities. Located 10 Daniel McCahill St.

Thursday, January 4, 6:00pm, Franklin LGBTQ Alliance monthly meeting at the Franklin Public Library. Join us for a post-holiday gift swap! The goal is not to spend money, but to give a gift you do not want or household item you do not use. Gift should be wrapped and in new/near-new condition. Select LGBTQ for their Facebook page. The Public Library is located at 118 Main St.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Friday, January 5, 7:30pm, FPAC presents the musical Bright Star at THE BLACK BOX. Featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful. Ticketed event.

Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer. Music Direction by Hallie Wetzell. Select TBB for ticketing and performance information. Located at 15 West Centra Street.

Friday, January 5, 9:00pm Matt Zajac, Live Music in the bar/lounge at

3 Restaurant. Select 3 for more information. Located at 461 West Central Street.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Saturday, January 6, 10:00am to 1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum. See Train Town Franklin, Part 2. Select Museum for more information. FREE. Museum is located at 80 West Central Street.

Saturday, January 6, 10:00am to 2:00pm Winter Farmers Market at Fairmount Fruit Farm. Shop 30+vendors.

10:30am to 11:30am Animal Tales Showcase. Preview our Animal Tales program for children 2.5-10 years old. Includes farm -themed story time, crafts, and other activities. Six week program begins mid-January. Select Fairmount for additional information. Located at 885 Lincoln Street.

Saturday, January 6, 1:00pm Science Series! at Franklin Public Library. No Registration Required! Join us for a special science workshop, brought to you by volunteers from the Franklin High School Science department! Ideal for kids ages 7+! Select Science for information. The Library is located at 118 Main Street.

Saturday, January 6, 7:30pm, FPAC presents the musical Bright Star at THE BLACK BOX. Featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. Ticketed event.

Select TBB for ticketing and performance information. Located at 15 West Centra Street.

Saturday, January 6, 2ND Chance Band, Live Music at Raillery Public House. Select Raillery for more information about this restaurant. Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive.

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Sunday, January 7, 1:00pm to 4:00pm Franklin Historical Museum. See Train Town Franklin, Part 2. Select Museum for more information. FREE. Museum is located at 80 West Central Street

Sunday, January 7, 2:00pm, FPAC presents the musical Bright Star at THE BLACK BOX. Featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. Ticketed event.

Select TBB for ticketing and performance information. Located at 15 West Centra Street.

Sunday, January 7, 2:00pm to 3:00pm, The Weekend Watercolor at Franklin Public Library. Registration Required. Relax with a Sunday watercolor class for adults 18 and over. Supplies are provided. First time painters are welcome! Project Theme: Snow Landscapes. CONTACT: Mitzi Gousie  15085204941  [email protected]. Spaces are limited. The Library is located at 118 Main Street.

Monday, January 8, 2024

Monday, January 8, 1:00pm Book Club: "Normal People" by Sally Rooney at Franklin Senior Center. Select Senior for information about this and other Senior Center activities. Located 10 Daniel McCahill St.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Tuesday, January 9, 6:00pm, Franklin LGBTQ+ Book Club , meeting at Franklin Public Library. Join us as we read the play Angels in America by Tony Kushner! (parts 1 and 2). You can get your copy at Escape into Fiction Bookstore or the Franklin Public Library. The Library is located at 118 Main Street.

Tuesday, January 9, 7:00pm to 9:00pm, Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee monthly meeting at 67 Degrees Brewing. Select Rail to learn more about this organization. 67 Degrees Brewing is located at 158 Grove Street.

Coming soon ...

Friday, January 12, 7:30pm, Electric Youth Debut Concert at THE BLACK BOX. Offers high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages! Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock and country hits. Ticketed Event. Select TBB for ticket and performance information. Located at 15 West Central Street.

Saturday, January 13, 8:00pm, Joe Jencks at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse. Ticketed event. Select Circle for ticketing and performance information. Located at 262 Chestnut Street, First Universalist Society of Franklin.

Partnering with Franklin Matters @https://www.franklinmatters.org sharing information about arts and culture. Visit Franklin Matters for Franklin information.

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, Sue Cass, Patrick Conlan,

John LoPresti, Roberta Trahan

Next meeting 7:00pm. January 25.