Cultural District Committee … Seeking Members

The Cultural District Committee (CDC) is looking for new members! Designated in 2019, Franklin’s Cultural District (map) is the specific area of Franklin where most arts and culture events happen and artists, creatives, institutions, organizations and businesses are located. While arts and culture happen throughout Franklin, the Cultural District is the featured area.

The CDC’s mission is to advance and support artists & creatives and cultural enterprises and to promote local cultural development. Supporting this mission the CDC:

• Publishes the weekly Cultural Wednesday newsletter, which enables the reader to “visit” the websites associated with events, locate information about events, purchase tickets, register for classes, and more. 
• Co-sponsors with the Town, the CDC website Franklin Culture, a community resource with detailed information about arts and culture in Franklin, as well as educational and historical resources. 
• Facilitates collaborations in the Cultural District, provides information about arts and culture resources in the Commonwealth, and supports a communication platform among and between artists, arts and culture organizations, institutions, and businesses. 

Please consider joining the CDC. Committee participation provides an opportunity to have an impact on Franklin’s ability to grow as a regional center for arts and culture. Select info for CDC application or email the CDC: [email protected]. 

Thank you! Franklin Cultural District Committee: Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho, John LoPresti, Roberta Trahan and Pandora Carlucci.

Artsy Box Update

May 17, 2023

As our artists have all made significant progress with their boxes, we'll continue to document their work as they all approach completion. If you're out taking photos of the boxes, please tag Franklin Culture on Facebook or #ArtsyBox23 on Instagram.

This week's Featured Artist is Molly Dee.  Her design, “Proserpina” is inspired by the goddess Persephone who has been depicted in art throughout history. In celebrating her, we hope to celebrate nature and its seasons along with the ebb and flow of life itself.

Please continue to follow our updates as our artists complete their public art projects. The FCDC is grateful for the continued support of the Artsy Box Project from Mass Cultural Council and Town of Franklin. We are so excited to share these beautiful pieces as the Artsy Box Project Artists continue to transform these boxes. Take a walk around the Cultural District and enjoy!

Franklin Senior Center

Wednesday, May 17,1:00 pm. Where’s The Toast” memory Café. Live entertainment. RSVP to Ariel: 508.520.4945. Supported by a generous grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local council of the Mass Cultural Council.

• Wednesday, May 17, 1:00 pm. Senior Scribblers.

There are many activities and presentations at the Senior Center each day. Select Senior for Franklin Senior Center contact information. 10 Daniel McCahill St.

Franklin Public Library ... Trivia, Gardens, Health and More!

• Now through June 24, During library hours. Love Letter Exhibit by Franklin artist Amy Adams. The body of work is an accessible collection of art dedicated to our low vision and blind community using color strategies and texture. The works encourage feeling the art as a way to connect with others. This exhibit can be enjoyed by all and will be available to experience at the Franklin Public Library. You are welcome to view more of the artist’s works at www.PaintingVenus.Art 
• Wednesday May 17, 6:30 pm. Teen Taylor Swift Trivia. Teens! Think you're the ultimate Swiftie? Join us for a night of trivia, snacks, and singalongs to find out!.
• Thursday, May 18, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Rain Gardens. Rain gardens are specially designed and planted depressions in the ground that collect, filter, and treat storm water. Join a discussion with Franklin Dept. of Public Works on the installation and maintenance of a rain garden: site-selection, native plant choices, benefits, and more! CONTACT: Mitzi Gousie  1-508-520-4941 
• Friday May 19 and Saturday May 20, The Franklin Public Library Book Sale occurs on the third Friday & Saturday of the month. All books are one dollar each. The Bag Sale is on the Saturday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fill a brown paper shopping bag with books for five dollars!
• Saturday, May 20, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Shavuot Celebration. Join us for a special celebration of the Jewish Holiday Shavuot! Learn and celebrate with crafts, snacks, activities and more!
• Monday, May 22, 7:00 pm. Revolutionary Design: Modern Architecture in New England. Virtual Program. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Louis Kahn, Philip Johnson and Maya Lin have in common? Legendary architects? Yep. Innovators in Modern design? True. They all have work in New England?! Join us over Zoom to introduce each architect and explore their notable works in New England locales.

To register for this virtual presentation, select the following link.: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6616757058913/WN_pCRL4QPMTcmfzwAnA_DcfQ CONTACT: Mitzi Gousie  1-508-5204941.

• Wednesday, May 24, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Spring Health Fair. Join us for Local Vendors, Petting Zoo, Farm Stand, Refreshments, Health Services, Face Paibtibg, Raffles & Give-a-ways, Kids Zone, Activities, Education for all ages, and More! Petting Zoo is by registration. RSVP HERE: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curName=2023...

There are opportunities for all ages at the Franklin Public Library. Select Read to download the Public Library May activity newsletter. Franklin Public Library located at 118 Main Street.

La Cantina Winery ... on the Patio



• Wednesday, May 17, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Wine & Charcuterie Experience. Ticketed event. Select LaCantina for ticketing.
• Thursday, May 18, 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Kendo, Live Music
• Thursday, May 18, Sons of Sam Pizza.
• Friday, May 19, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, David RaK, Live Music
• Saturday, May 20, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. South Street Six, Live Music

Select La Cantina for their IG post. Located at 357 Union Street.

67 Degrees Brewing ... in the taproom



• Saturday, May 29, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. It's a 'J' Thing, Live Music
• Saturday, May 20, Yai's Kitchen
•  Ongoing. Artwork by Franklin artist, Amy Adams

Select 67 Degrees for more information. Located at 158 Grove Street.

Empty Bowls - 8th Annual

Thursday, May 18, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Empty Bowls, FHS Empty Bowls Club and Franklin Food Pantry, 8th Annual Dinner and Auction Fundraiser. "Somewhere, Someone's Bowl is Empty." Purchase tickets: bit,ly/EmptyBowls2023. Franklin High School Cafeteria.

Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street.

FHS Film Festival

Thursday, May 18, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. FHS Film Festival. Franklin High School Lecture Hall. Located 218 Oak Street.

Arts & Culture Listening Tour

Friday, May 19, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Arts & Culture Listening Tour at Escape into Fiction Bookstore. Join the conversation. Town Council members Ted Cormier-Leger, Cobi Frongillo, and Melanie Hamblen. All welcome. 12 Main Street.

Disability Expo at the Senior Center ... Open to All



Saturday, May 20, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Disability Expo at the Senior Center. The Expo is Open to All, including individuals with disability, support persons, community partners, and more. Representatives will be on site to share a variety of resources regarding disability services. Select Expo for more information. FREE. The Senior Center is located at 10 Daniel McCahill Street

Historical Museum

Saturday, May 20, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Museum Open.

Sunday, May 21, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Museum Open.

Always FREE. Select Historical for additional Museum information. Located at 80 West Central St.

Voices of Faith



Sunday, May 21, 7:00 pm. Voices of Faith. A community concert with the Franklin Interfaith Council. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Select Voices for information. Located at 91 Jordan Road.

Memorial Day Activities

Monday, May 29, 10:30 am. Memorial Day Parade. The parade starts at Dean College, then proceeds to Union Street and St. Mary's Cemeteries via School, West Central and Beaver Streets and concludes at the Town Common.

Monday, May 29 at 12:00 noon. Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on the Town Common by the War Memorial after the parade. Franklin Veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day, as well as Franklin's 45 fallen heroes wo died in our nation's combats will be recognized. Note: If it rains on May 29, please check the Veterans' Services web page for cancellation notice.

Movie Night in Franklin!

Tuesday, May 30,7:00 pm. Since the 2005 closure of the beloved Zeotrope Theatre, there has been an absence of steady programming for our local cinephiles.

With a generous Mass Cultural Council grant through the Franklin Cultural District, Town Councilor Cobi Frongilllo, in collaboration with THE BLACK BOX, is piloting a 3-film monthly series to assess the local appetite for more regular independent, arthouse, foreign, and classic film screenings! The films will show at 7pm on the last Tuesday of April, May, and June; all three will be screened at THE BLACK BOX (15 W Central St, Franklin, MA 02038).

Our second film, If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), will be screened on Tuesday, May 30th. The moving drama from Barry Jenkins, Academy Award winning director of Moonlight, is based on the acclaimed novel by James Baldwin. The film, which tells the story of a young couple in 1970s Harlem, received three Oscar nominations and earned Regina King a win for Best Supporting Actress. The novel will be in stock all month at Escape Into Fiction!

Popcorn and other refreshments will be available for purchase. This is a pilot program, so please provide feedback as we build out and improve the cinematic experience. Tickets will be sold at the door for a suggested $5 donation. All are welcome!

Franklin Farmers Market ... Summer on the Town Common

Friday, June 2, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Franklin Farmers Market. Featuring Moxie, live music, sponsored by the Franklin Cultural Council and Thee Taco Dude, Food Truck. Happening on the Franklin Town Common in the heart of the Cultural District. Select Farm for more information.

Franklin High School

Class of 2023 Commencement

Friday, June 2, Class of 2023 Commencement at Franklin High School. Congratulations Panthers. 218 Oak Street.

Violet at THE BLACK BOX

Thursday, June 8, Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10, FPAC presents the musical, Violet at THE BLACK BOX. As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved, she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. On the way, she meets a young soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections." Select Violet for performance times and ticketing information and purchase. 15 West Central Street.

Strawberry Stroll on Main Street

Friday, June 9, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Franklin Downtown Partnership presents the Strawberry Stroll on Main Street. Businesses, organizations, food, music and more! Celebrate Summer with the Strawberry Stroll. Select FDP for more information.

LiveARTS at the Franklin Library

Saturday, June 10, 2:00 pm, LiveARTS String Quartet, Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street. The LiveARTS String Quartet -- Gregory Vitale, violin, Omar Chen-Guey, violin, Donald Krishnaswami, viola, and Jennifer Lucht, cello, have performed together for over a decade while maintaining active careers playing and teaching throughout New England and beyond.

This performance is made possible through a grant from the Franklin Cultural District, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, visit our website at liveartsma.org.

Creative Corner Arts Studio

Franklin School for the Performing Arts, Summer 2023

Encore Summer Music Camp

Franklin Mill Store Summer Camp 2023

Franklin Lifelong Learning Summer Programs

Pre-College Summer Programs at

Dean College

MCC Festivals & Projects Grant

Grant applications due June 8, 2023, Festivals & Projects grant program. The FY24 Festivals & Projects program offers awards of $2,500 to support public activities incorporating the arts, humanities, or sciences, taking place between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

Full program guidelines and FAQs for potential applicants are available online now, and the online application can be accessed as well. The application deadline is June 8th. More information about this program is available on the Mass Cultural Council Power of Culture blog

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

Franklin's Cultural District Committee (FCDC) engages, promotes, celebrates, and collaborates with Franklin's artists and creatives, as well as organizations, institutions, and businesses. The Committee meets May 11 at 7 PM. Zoom link on Town of Franklin website, Boards/Committees.

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John LoPresti, 

Roberta Trahan