Brush Strokes Your Support of HCA in Action
Fall/Winter 2022
Wicked Weekend 2022 Is In The Books!
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hat started as a costumed 5k race six years ago has blossomed into a weekend extravaganza of Halloween fun! When we made the decision to no longer hold our annual fundraising gala on the first weekend of November (in favor of creating a Celebrity Series fundraiser in the Spring), we decided to focus our fundraising efforts on the Halloween weekend. There were four distinct events; two were offered free to families and two were paid ticketed events. The clear and seasonable weather brought over one thousand people to the HCA during the entire weekend! UNIBANK once again served as the weekend sponsor, and we’re so grateful for their support.
HCA! They had a great time getting to know the town of Hopkinton as they completed their scavenger hunt challenges.
We kicked off the weekend with a free town-wide scavenger hunt that included a mix of tasks for participants to complete. These tasks included stops at sponsor locations and fun photos such as using team members to spell out “HCA.” Over 50 participants took some terrific photos. One team was a mother/daughter from Pennsylvania. The mom came to visit her daughter for parent weekend at Brandeis University. They were looking for something fun to do together and found the
The HCA partnered with the Hopkinton Community Partnership and the Hopkinton Cultural Council to host a combined family event that included HCP’s annual Trunk or Treat, the inaugural Pumpkin carving contest from the Cultural Council and our new event Monster Mash sponsored by Under Pressure. Families strolled through a display of 35 decorated trunks, made their way to see the HCA’s Scarecrow Graveyard (created by local residents) and voted on the HCC’s pumpkin carving contest. Wicked weekend sponsors provided tables with activities, and three food trucks were on hand as we danced the night away in our amphitheater. The entire evening was made extra special by Mark Mercer, owner of Under Pressure, who “lit up” the HCA with his new exterior lighting company. If you haven’t done so we highly encourage you to drive by the HCA at night to see it all lit up! The lights will remain up through the holiday season to provide an extra special lift as we close out 2022. 1
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HCA News Thank you for supporting quality HCA programs and the gifted teaching artists who lead them!
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Adult beginners ukulele class under the instruction of Barbara Kessler (standing) learned numerous songs in the short four session class!
irector of Programming Tatiana Flis is dedicated to expanding HCA’s successful anchor programming to provide new and innovative content that meets the interests of the people who come to the HCA to follow their artistic passions. We have seen a marked increase in registrations, with some of our winter 2023 programs already sold out! Director of Music, Juliett Maglitta, ran a pilot ukulele program over the summer to students ages 7 to10 year olds. The participants were so thrilled by the experience that we added two more youth classes and an adult ukulele class to the Fall session!
Maglitta noted, “Teaching students how to play the ukulele has brought me nothing but joy, gratitude, and excitement. The students never cease to amaze me with their willingness to learn and love for music. I learn something new from my students each week.” Bryanne Wainford’s son Owen has taken both the summer and fall ukulele classes. When asked about his experience, Owen said, “Ms Juliet is a great teacher and when I play ukulele I feel happy.” Bryanne echoed the sentiment. “We love the HCA as a place where Owen can explore his interests in art and music. There are so many great offerings for younger kids, and it’s just a wonderfully open and welcoming environment for him.” But it’s not just the kids who are picking up the instrument. Talented singer-songwriter, Barbara Kessler, taught the inaugural adult ukulele class. Student Dayle Doherty noted, “We learned how to play the Beatles “Let it Be” so quickly! It’s a wonderful instrument to start at any age because it’s not intimidating at all. We’re all having a blast in the class!”
“Ms Juliet is a great teacher and when I play ukulele I feel happy.” —Owen W.
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Make Your Mark on the HCA
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he HCA has been particularly challenged this year with the debt incurred from the farmhouse renovation. The renovations to the house were vital and necessary, but resulted in double the expense forecasted as a result of COVID supply delays, a surge in the building and labor costs, and the myriad of issues that emerged from bringing an 1800s dwelling up to code. One of the ways the HCA is tackling this challenging time is through a comprehensive naming initiative.
Members of the East Boston Veronica Robles Cultural Center came to the HCA to see Flor Delgadillo’s curated exhibition Displacement.
The HCA was delighted to host Flor Delgadillo and seven selected artists for the Curator Fellowship Exhibition, Displacement which was on display in the Lotvin Family Gallery October 7 to November 12th.
The Patchwork and Paver campaign was in full swing through Labor Day and will continue into next year. There are opportunities to have your family name engraved on a paver, rocking chair, picnic table or bench. To date we have received pledges and support totalling $11,900.
The exhibition raised awareness about what goes on beyond our borders, and the struggle to preserve one’s cultural heritage. The group of artists in the exhibition came from different parts of the world, all sharing the lived experience of constant migration.
In other “naming” news, we were honored by the generosity of Patrick and Amanda Faucher, who showed their support through naming one of the music rooms in the newly renovated farmhouse. With seven more rooms to be named, we invite you and others to consider making your mark on the HCA and help us close the gap of the renovation costs. Reach out to Executive Kelly Grill for more information.
The Curator Fellowship Program was created in honor of HCA’s founding co-director Kris Waldman, who shares a great passion for art that fosters dialogue around diversity and inclusivity, particularly of underrepresented communities. Your generous support allows us to give a rising artist an unforgettable opportunity to curate a gallery exhibition.
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he HCA is so proud to announce we are the recipient of a Cultural Investment Portfolio Grant in the amount of $17,100. The Cultural Investment Portfolio, managed by Mass Cultural Council, provides general operating grants to nonprofit organizations that enrich Massachusetts’ cultural life. The Portfolio works to strengthen a cultural sector that generates $1.2 billion in economic activity, creates thousands of jobs, and delivers programs to more than 20 million people a year. We are proud and humbled to be joining other prestigious organizations like the Worcester Art Museum, Hanover Theater and the Boston Ballet as a recipient of this yearly grant. It is another milestone in the history and growth of the HCA to be awarded this grant as it signifies that HCA is a strong organization contributing to the cultural economy and cultural life of our region. 3
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The newest feature to our Wicked Weekend was “The Haunted Trail” which ran on Saturday and Sunday evening October 29–30th. HCA Board Member Dawn Anderson headed up an enthusiastic group of volunteers to execute this project and we couldn’t have been more excited and pleased by the results. We were overwhelmed with the volume of people who walked the half mile trail and were delighted to be thoroughly creeped out! We learned a great deal from our first Haunted Trail and are already making plans for an even better experience next year!
Thank you UNIBANK for being the HCA Wicked Weekend presenting Sponsor. Pictured: Cristina Morrissiey, UNIBANK Vice President, Regional Manager, and her son Devin.
Through a combination of sponsor support, individual donations and ticket sales to the Haunted Trail and 5k race, we raised over $35,000 dollars over the course of the weekend.
Sunday morning brought 200 runners and 70 “wee” runners for our much-loved 5k race. Our thanks to Ilana Casady and Erin LaPrad for their leadership in flawlessly executing this race.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HCA HCA Winter Exhibition November 28 through December 19, 2022 Concert for Christmas with Worcester Chamber Music Society | Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 p.m. SACH DiwHoliday Gala Saturday, December 10 at 5:30–10:00 p.m. Treblemakers Holiday Concert Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Runners anticipating the starting gun!
Ayla Brown Christmas Concert Saturday, December 17 at 8:00 p.m. The Nutcracker Ballet | Sunday, December 18 Two shows 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. New Years Eve Family Event Saturday, December 31 at 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Details/ Ticket Information @ HopArtsCenter.org
Monster Mash attendees dancing and having fun.
98 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA | www.HopArtsCenter.org | info@hopartscenter.org 4