School system to kick off new creative arts initiative

Date: 10/6/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Be on the lookout because by next summer terriers will be all over town.

The West Springfield Public Schools' Creative Arts Committee is taking on a new initiative to promote community involvement in the arts. The "Terriers Around Town" campaign allows local artists to create about 40 fiberglass terrier sculptures throughout town, which will be auctioned off to raise funds for art programs within the school system.

Erin Mountain, assistant to Superintendent Suzanne Marotta explained that the Create Arts Committee will launch an aggressive promotional campaign in the coming weeks via Facebook and the Web. She said the collaborative will not just be between the schools and local artists but will also include local businesses interested in displaying or sponsoring the terrier sculptures.

"I want to expand the role of fine art in our town by making the citizens aware of the talent of our pool of artists, and making it easy for people to become involved in an outdoor project," Jane Barrientos, a local artist involved in the project, said. "The arts can enhance the social and economic framework of the community, and this is a very good way to expand awareness and participation."

Barrientos noted that her "rewarding" experiences with similar community art initiatives such as "Giddyap for Granby" prompted her involvement with "Terriers Around Town." She added that the Creative Arts Committee will soon be selling wristbands to raise funds and community awareness,

Chris Costanzi, a member of the committee, said she got the idea for "Terriers Around Town" after seeing how several cities throughout the country have incorporated community sculptures with worthwhile fundraising initiatives. She added that Barrientos' enthusiasm for such projects prompted the two of them to get the project up and running.

"The overall goals of the 'Terriers Around Town' collaborative are to increase awareness of why the Westie is our community's mascot, to transform our town into a outdoor art exhibit, to celebrate local businesses and artists, to support the upgrade of lighting and theatrical elements in the Chris Grammaticas Auditorium at West Springfield High School and to fund several other art projects," Costanzi explained.

Mountain noted that the proceeds from the eventual sale of the sculptures will also go toward artists-in-residence programs, artist mentors and after-school art programs.

Costanzi said the committee is still seeking sponsors to fund each sculpture in addition to applying for grant monies.

She added that additional items such as wristbands and other items will be sold at the project's upcoming Web site, www.terriersaroundtown.com.