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Date: 12/5/2023
MONSON — Alan Morin has been voted in as the new president of the Monson Arts Council, the organization recently announced.
A member of the council for over 15 years, Morin accepted the position after previous president Peter Barnett stated that he was looking to step down after more than 10 years in the role.
Prior to the election, Morin was an active member of the organization’s Art Show Committee, where he assisted with planning and advertising the spring art exhibitions as well as generally promoting the council. He first joined the board after becoming interested in helping with the council’s activities, Morin explained.
While he was offered the position of president soon after Barnett announced he was stepping down, Morin said he initially declined. “I hesitated, thinking there were people better suited [for the role],” he stated.
Yet, when the Select Board voted to demolish the House of Art, the council’s main building, Morin became “passionate” about ensuring the building wasn’t destroyed. While then-president Barnett led the charge, Morin joined other MAC volunteers and the Monson community in vocalizing support for the House of Art, he said. Following the Select Board’s decision to keep the building, Morin reached out to the council board again and accepted the position as president.
Now as president, Morin explained that there are multiple projects he hopes to lead. These include improving the House of Art’s second floor fire escape, bringing the building up to code and moving all MAC offices to the second floor to allow for more space to display art on both floors. He also noted that he hopes to refresh the building’s paint and install an entrance ramp outside. Although, a date has not been set for any of the projects, Morin stated.
When asked about his decision to step down from president, Barnett said, “I realized I wasn’t putting enough energy into the position.” He explained that he decided to retire with the hope that a new president would “bring new energy to the organization.”
In addition to his role as president, Barnett also held other positions as member secretary and head of the Western Mass Performs talent show at different times during his work with the council, he said. Barnett described his work while president as “tactful” and stated that he was “helpful at smoothing out personality problems.”
While no longer president, Barnett explained that he remains a member of the MAC board and plans to continue being active in the organization.