16 | MAY 13 - 19, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
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Keeping art turned on and running Richard Duckett Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
WORCESTER – The Sprinkler Factory Gallery at 38 Harlow St. has a lot of space to view art. That’s always been true but it is now especially so since the Sprinkler Factory reopened in October after closing in March last year because of the pandemic. The entire approximately 7,500 square feet of exhibition space, which for a while had two galleries and usually includes a performance stage, has now become one big gallery. “We have a lot of space to spread out so people feel very comfortable in the Sprinkler Factory because it is such a large venue,” said Luis Fraire, managing director of the Sprinkler Factory art gallery. People have also been able to take their time with the current exhibition on view. After all, it is the Sprinkler Factory’s “SlowRaiser.” The arts space is operated by AGSF Inc. (Artists’ Group of the Sprinkler Factory), a nonprofi t arts organization. “SlowRaiser” is what the Sprinkler Factory calls its “6.5th annual ArtRaiser” art auction event. Actually, time is now speeding up as the “slow auction” that started May 1 ends May 15. Artists have donated their creations to the “SlowRaiser” for the auction that will support the Sprinkler Factory’s intent to serve the Worcester arts community. There are more than 115 works of art to be bid on. The art can be viewed online (www.sprinklerfactory.com) and bids sent by email, as well as people registering to come to the Sprinkler Factory to bid in-person. Most of the works are paintings, but there are also sculptures and photographs, all in a variety of styles. “There’s something for everyone,” Fraire said. “People can come in, look over everything, and think about what
Luis Fraire, managing director, and Birgit Straehle, creative consultant, in the Sprinkler Factory Art Gallery, where artwork being auctioned in the gallery’s fundraiser is being exhibited. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
they really liked.” The “SlowRaiser” can also just be enjoyed as an art show in and of itself, regardless of whether you make a bid or not. “The auction items turned into a great gallery show, too. It’s a great show to enjoy,” said Birgit Straehle, creative consultant to the Sprinkler Factory art gallery. Fraire and Straehle are also husband and wife. “Looking is welcomed,” said Fraire of the “SlowRaiser” show. “We encourage people to come in and at least take a look.” “SlowRaiser” will be on view in-person May 13 and 14 from 5-8 p.m. and May 15 from 1-8 p.m.
You must schedule a free pretimed ticket at eventbrite, which can be accessed through www.sprinklerfactory.com. “SlowRaiser” would normally be called the Sprinkler Factory’s sixth “ArtRaiser,” dating back to when the event was fi rst held in 2015 and taking into account that it wasn’t held last year. Fraire said the “.5 represents the half a year we lost when we were closed.” The Sprinkler Factory had started March 2020 in a big way. On March 7, 2020, four exhibitions opened all at once, showing its reach and appeal to artists. The shows included “Today and Tomorrow — Worcester Public Schools Visual Arts,” a selection of works in var-
ious media from 33 artists-educators of the Worcester Public Schools; “Dual Nature — Across Mediums, Encaustic Plus One,” work by Linda Bigness, Joanne Holtje and Doreen LaScola; “Sum Girls — Crushes 12x12ss,” by Don Hartmann; and “Jumping the Shark,” new work by Peter S. Wise. The opening reception was packed, albeit that word was also buzzing about the coronavirus. A few days later the Sprinkler Factory was closed. “We had a full schedule (for 2020),” Fraire noted. The Rockwood Sprinkler Company of Worcester was founded in 1906 by George I. Rockwood, an inventor of fi resuppressing sprinkler systems. In its heyday the factory at 38 Harlow St., just off Lincoln Street, had 325 employees and annual sales of $1,500,000. By the mid-20th century, the factory had ceased production. The big old brick building became an aspiring arts center in 1987 after the then Worcester Artist Group moved in. There were ups and downs (and rows) and diff erent nonprofi t incarnations and name changes along the way, but there has been stability and growth now for several years with the Sprinkler Factory Gallery and AGSF. The Sprinkler Factory is also home to independent artist studios and creative businesses spread throughout the former Rockwood Sprinkler Company complex. The stated mission of AGSF Inc. is “to provide a welcoming multifaceted venue to nurture and promote the visual and performing arts communities of Central Massachusetts.” The Sprinkler Factory has become “one of the most active and massive exhibition spaces for contemporary art in Central Massachusetts.” Up until the pandemic, the two galleries had openings every month, and the space featured a performance stage for theater, music, talks, spoken word and fi lm with an 85-seat capacity. 4th Continued on next page
