The Uxbridge Community Gallery is currently closed to the public until further notice. Please visit the Blackstone Valley Art Association’s Facebook page for more information or visit their website by clicking on the link below.
The Uxbridge Community Gallery, located at 5 South Main Street, is the home of both an Open Sky employment program and the Blackstone Valley Art Association. The BVAA uses the space for meetings, workshops and exhibits, many of which are open to the community and artists of all abilities.
This collaborative use of the space furthers ValleyCAST’s mission of supporting an inclusive creative community here in the Blackstone valley.
Regular Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 9 AM – 3:30 PM. For information about the BVAA visit BVAA.org.
The Uxbridge Community Gallery is closed to the public until further notice. Please visit the BVAA Facebook Page to stay up to date. Stay safe!
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 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.
The G.B. and Lexi Singh Performance Center, located at 60 Douglas Road in Whitinsville, is home to seven different professional community theater groups including Algonkuin Theatre Projects, Becoming More Productions, Braid Productions, Pilgrim Soul Productions, Molehill Productions, and Stepping Stone Community Theater.
It is also the location of annual events including the One Act Play Festival on the Mumford and The Free Summer Concert Series.
The Singh Performance Center is closed to the public until further notice. Please visit our Facebook Page to stay up to date and stay safe!
Dennis H. Rice co-founded Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. in 1976 to help people of all abilities obtain real homes, real jobs, and real relationships. His vision led to the renovation of the Whitin Mill as headquarters for Alternatives and as a center for cultural events, the arts and community membership. This plaza is dedicated to Dennis to commemorate his life’s work and his 2018 retirement.
The Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza is an open-air gathering space over looking the Mumford River and the Mill falls. A variety of annual events take place here including the Alternatives’ Valley Friendship Tour in June, the Free Summer Concert Series in July and August, year round health and wellness fairs, and the Valley Bag Toss in September.
New Heritage Panels
Take a walk through time.
We have installed four Historic Heritage Panels depicting the history and influence of the Whitin Empire. These panels also document how people with disabilities were viewed and treated in Massachusetts during the same time period. Funded in part by the Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor.
ALSO recently installed were two bronze plaques recognizing Whitinsville Spinning Ring Company employees who served in World War I and World War II.
The Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery, located at 50 Douglas Road in Whitinsville, features a wide variety of fine art, historical and community art exhibits. The public is invited to attend opening receptions for each gallery exhibit.
The Heritage Gallery is closed to the public until further notice. Please visit our Facebook Page to stay up to date. Stay safe!
ValleyCAST’s mission is to foster a creative and engaged community in the Historic Blackstone Valley that is inclusive and supportive of all people with and without disabilities.
Vision for the Blackstone Valley:
A thriving arts environment which actively engages and educates people of all abilities. Cultural organizations and local artists collaborating to maintain a creative community. A region celebrated for its historic resources, industrial heritage and natural beauty.
About:
ValleyCAST was founded in 2002 out of Alternatives’ desire for an inclusive community that provides real opportunities to the people with disabilities the organization serves. Led by a volunteer Board, ValleyCAST coordinates and facilitates cultural activities that expand community support for the arts.
ValleyCAST’s biggest project was the renovation of the historic Whitin Mill into an inclusive cultural center. The Whitin Mill houses Alternatives’ headquarters and several programs, as well as a technically advanced theater, an art gallery, public plaza, and artisan spaces, all renovated with respect for historic preservation and utilizing green technology.
Whether an art exhibition, concert, play or historic tour, events that bring people together and inspire new connections are always taking place. For more information contact Cristi Collari, Director of Community Outreach at Cristi.Collari@openskycs.org
Take a walk through time.