Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Hart.
Mary, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I landed in Lowell 7 years ago, first as an adjunct at Middlesex Community College and also as an artist participating in Lowell arts events, at ALL, Ayer Lofts and the Revolving Museum. I commuted here from Winchester to teach and do shows. My teaching colleagues, artist friends and husband loved the city and when it was time to downsize from our oversized home in the North suburbs, we chose to live in a loft in Lowell. Lofts being rather small, I found a studio home at Gates Block Studios, located conveniently 2 blocks from our apartment. We became full time Loweltonians five years ago and have not looked back.
Lowell is still developing. Many artists live and work here, along with long-time residents, students, and people who came from all over the world. It is a stimulating mix. Bodegas, Asian groceries, churches, schools, fancy condos, dorms, low income housing, transient housing, coffee shops, bars …all jumbled together.
After years of living in the suburbs it’s a joy to walk almost everywhere! And while Lowell has a population of 112,000, the downtown population is more like 2,000, making it a small town in a bigger town!
Establishing a separate art studio has given me license to get involved in more projects (with their inherent mess) and be more productive, without distractions. A huge change. The number of artists/friends/contacts has increased dramatically, too.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s always a challenge to re-establish yourself in a new setting. You need to be recognized for your skills and contributions. The biggest challenge in Lowell is that there is an “old school” establishment, which often is less than welcoming to new people and ideas.
Lowell is not without challenges and problems, and gathering new and old ideas to work together is the best way to tackle them.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio 310 – what should we know?
I am not a company or a business! I am a single artist who does a wide variety of art making. I am an experienced graphic designer, and teach this subject at Middlesex Community College. It is a subject I love and I still practice designing to keep abreast of current trends and practices. But there is much more designing to be done off the computer. Current projects include Posters and peripherals for the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festival in October, designing for a collaborative mask show in November, participation in group shows, and curating art at local restaurants.
I have always seen art as an important component of the civic landscape. It enriches the culture of the city, changes the environment and inspires. I am an art connector – I collaborate and work to link artists with projects, to recruit artists for events, to promote art displays and demonstrations.
Enlightened cities are gradually coming to the conclusion that the best people to manage arts are artists, that planning for most civic events and projects should include artists from the beginning, and that the local art community is a resource that should be cultivated and treated with the same respect given to large donors and developers.
I am not content to accept crumbs for art and artists.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Honesty and directness in all conversations. Intelligence and creativity.
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio 310
307 Market St. Unit 310
Lowell MA
01852
Image Credit:
Personal Photo Jeff Hart
All others Mary Hart
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