Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/18/2022
HADLEY – In a celebration of the beauty of the town of Hadley, the Cultural Council has opened the “I love Hadley” exhibit inside the Senior Center in collaboration with the center.
The exhibition currently has nine of the best photos as determined by the Cultural Council enlarged and framed in posters that will be for sale with the proceeds going back to the council to cover the costs of printing and framing. The council put the funds given on behalf of the Massachusetts Cultural Council towards the project to showcase the beautiful sights of Hadley.
“I started to see the most gorgeous pictures [from a friend on Facebook] and I asked where is that? And she said Hadley, and I said what? And I live in Hadley,” said Cultural Council Co-Chair Catalina Arrubla with a laugh.
Arrubla was very impressed with some of the photos and felt that this could be an opportunity for the community in town to showcase some of their own great shots, all in celebration of the town. Shortly after announcing they were accepting photos for this project in the fall, the photos began rolling in.
According to Arrubla, over 300 pictures of Hadley were submitted by about 25 to 30 people. From there, the council began to break down photos as candidates for the exhibit. Seventy total photos were selected based on the shots and representativeness of the town before about 20 of them were kept from there for consideration in the exhibit.
Now with the exhibit open, nine of the photos have been chose and enlarged and framed and are hanging on the walls of the senior center. Additionally, 12 photos have been put onto postcards that are available for any resident at the senior center, as well as a few other town buildings. Donations are accepted but no charge is required to take a postcard.
When looking for a location to hold the exhibit, Arrubla had printed posters of some of the photos and framed some of them already herself. She said that the Senior Center offered to take one of the posters but also offered to provide the spot for the exhibit and that they had the idea to get them framed professionally, something Arrubla happily agreed to and felt was a good idea.
The library, Town Hall, and the Post Office all accepted at least a poster and postcards in an effort to spread some of the word behind the “I love Hadley” project, according to Arrubla.
She added that reactions so far have been great and have given appreciation of the town to those who have been able to see the photos.
“Everyone has said, ‘Oh I know this place,’ or ‘Oh, I know where this is,” Arrubla said. “It’s a project that is so simple – so simple – and brings so much joy to everybody. To the artists, to the people who go to the post office and see the post cards right there, the library, everybody loves the project.”
Arrubla says the exhibit will be available to be seen by the public all month and through February.
Currently, the nine framed photos selected at the exhibit are each for sale for $70 and there is also a slideshow that has more of the submitted photos that the council has in their possession.
“We’re excited to share our town’s beauty with the public. We’re hoping that the exhibit will inspire people to come and check out our beautiful natural spaces,” Arrubla said.