Art guild builds a community for solo artists.

Byline: Laura Porter

Eight years ago, a casual conversation about encouraging an artistic community led to the first meeting of the Massasoit Art Guild at the Richard Sugden Library in Spencer.

This October, the guild - now 90 members strong - will hold its annual two-day art show in Spencer Town Hall, featuring the work of both painters and photographers. The exhibit celebrates the spirit of creativity and mutual support that has defined the group since its inception. The members come from 20 towns in Central Massachusetts, including Leicester, Spencer, the Brookfields, Auburn, Dudley, Holden, Oxford, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Southbridge and Sturbridge.

Year-round, local artists gather regularly at the guild's studio in East Brookfield, a converted classroom in the Hodgkins Building on School Street, the former Lashaway Junior High. Here, they hold open studio hours every Wednesday.

Monthly meetings for members and those interested in joining the guild often feature demonstrations of technique, workshops or hands-on creative programs. Also, an open house held the second Saturday of every month gives visitors an opportunity to view rotating exhibits while the artists are painting.

Informal pleine aire, or open air, sessions offer a frequent escape from the studio as members gather to paint together in natural settings.

Painter Mary Kay Ebersold is in her second year as president of the guild. Mrs. Ebersold, along with past president Norman Cabana and Emile Gaucher, was part of the original conversation in 2001 about bringing area artists together. They now belong to an eight-member board of directors.

"A lot of people paint at home," said Mrs. Ebersold, who on a sunny fall morning has just returned from a pleine aire session in New Braintree, where several members set up their easels near a farm stand. "The guild offers a chance to get together with other artists."

Though she had some art training in college, Mrs. Ebersold said other professional pursuits took precedence until "this group got together and rekindled my interest." She took several art classes at the Worcester Art Museum, and "off I went." She now paints at least once a week at the Wednesday sessions at the studio.

Central to the group's purpose has been "the chance to hang (our) work," said Mrs. Ebersold.

To that end, the guild maintains revolving exhibits throughout the area, at public libraries in East Brookfield, North Brookfield and Spencer, as well as at Cormier Jewelers, Five Loaves Bakery and the Spencer Savings Bank in Spencer. The studio in East Brookfield also provides gallery space.

Every fall, the guild's art show features about 150 pieces shown over 12 hours and draws up to 300 visitors. Financed by a grant from the Spencer Cultural Council this year, the show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 18.

Two musical groups will perform. Contempaissance, a recent recipient of a grant from the Spencer Cultural Council, will play from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 17. From 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 18, Boys of the Town will perform Celtic music on flute, fiddle and guitar. A reception to meet the artists, as well as an awards ceremony, will be held at 2 p.m. that day. Ribbons and cash awards will be given, in addition to a special Award for Innovation sponsored by the Quaboag Corp.

The guild welcomes new members. Dues are $25 per year. Applications for October's art show are available at www.massasoitartguild.com.

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: T&G Staff Photos/CHRISTINE PETERSON

CUTLINE: (1) Above, Emile Gaucher talks with Carole Bentley about a pumpkin painting. (2) Left, Jane Stendrup of Ware works with pastels. (3) Guild President Mary Kay Ebersold works on signs at the club's studio in East Brookfield. (4) No cutline