The oldest primary building in the Whitin Mill Complex in Whitinsville, Massachusetts is the 8,100 square-foot, 4-story Brick Mill. Built in 1826, the Mill is believed to be one of the earliest cotton mills erected in New England, and is considered by the National Park Service to be one of the finest examples of original, undisturbed Federalist architecture in the country. The Mill is on the State Register of Historic Places.
Today, this building is home to artisan studio space and three two-bedroom apartments for people Open Sky serves with developmental disabilities.
Bella Luce Art Cafe
The Bella Luce Art Cafe is located in the historic 1826 Red Brick Mill Building at the Whitin Mill Complex in Whitinsville, MA.
Bella Luce Art Cafe is proud to be included in the same Mill complex with The GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center and the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery. It currently houses the following artists:
Cristi Winona Collari
Cristi Winona Collari received her B.A. in Studio Art from Wellesley College in 2002. Upon graduation, she managed the Applied Arts Program for the Wellesley College Art Department where she hired and assisted visiting artists with class instruction and Jewett Art Gallery Exhibits and Collaborative Projects.
She has exhibited her photographs and multi-media installation work at the Jewett Art Gallery, the Davis Museum’s Collin’s Cafe Gallery, and The Pendleton-West Studio Gallery at Wellesley College; The Photographic Resource Center at Boston University; and numerous site galleries in and around Wellesley Massachusetts. She has also participated and collaborated with other fine artists in various art exhibits and installations in the area. For more information, contact: cristiwinona (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Kats Glass Studio
Kats Glass Studio is owned and operated by glass artist Kathy Olson, who specializes in Stained Glass Panels, Kiln Formed Glass Jewelry, and other functional glass art. Kathy offers classes and workshops for teens and adults in Basic Stained Glass (Copper Foil Technique) and fused glass. Her beautiful work can be purchased in her studio. For more information, contact: kuffy (at) lightband (dot) com.
Andy Volpe
Andy Volpe is an artist currently living in the Grafton area. He holds a degree in Fine Arts from Westfield State University, where he gained a deep appreciation for Art History and the Old Masters. He continues to research and work in traditional drawing and printmaking techniques. Andy is a Living Historian / Re-enactor, member of several groups ranging from the Ancient Romans, Medieval-Renaissance, Colonial America and American Civil War. He presents to libraries, schools, colleges and museums throughout New England as a Roman Legionary soldier and Medieval-Renaissance Artist. For more information, please visit his website.
Al Weems
Al has been a full-time professional photographer for well over 30 years. His area of expertise has been in the commercial, advertising and public relations fields, specializing in on-location photography.
He now brings his Fine Art photography to the forefront with usage of the beautiful space at the Whitin Mill that he shares with a group of wonderful artisans. Framed and non-framed images are available for purchase as well as assignments on commission. To learn more about Al’s background and other available images please visit the Al Weems Website.
For more information regarding the Bella Luce Art Cafe or if you are a regional artist interested in renting studio space, please contact Cristi at cristi.collari@openskycs.org.