From Chris McCue Potts –

Zullo Poised to Purchase Building with $500K in Community Support

Landlord sought to keep gallery, Main Street businesses intact in historic district.

Chris McCue,Community Contributor

Posted Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 8:46 am ET

MEDFIELD, Mass. (April 9, 2025) — The Zullo Gallery-Center for the Arts, a nonprofit arts organization in downtown Medfield, is moving toward ownership of its longtime home at 454-456A Main St., thanks to a pending building sale and more than $500,000 in community commitments.

Building owners Tom and Lisa Nightingale have reached an agreement to sell the historic property to the Zullo Gallery. The deal follows months of fundraising and planning by Executive Director Bill Pope, and a group of Zullo trustees, advisory board members and other supporters.

Among the 35 individuals who pledged support are the Nightingales themselves. The final piece is coming together with financing from Needham Bank, a longtime supporter of the gallery that previously funded construction of the rooftop deck in 2007.

A Long-Awaited Goal

“We’ve had many twists and turns over the last two months,” said Pope. “And while we still have additional steps to go, we’re excited to have gotten this far with so much community support for the Zullo Gallery to have a permanent home in downtown Medfield.”

Pope said purchasing the building has been a long-term goal for the organization. Ownership will allow for capital improvements that are otherwise out of reach for renters — including handicapped accessibility, which will open up new grant opportunities, as well as a kitchen and deck covering to support expanded programming.

Pope also emphasized that the gallery plans to retain its three downstairs tenants: Casa Bella Pizza, Absi Jeweler, and Medfield Barbershop. “They’re an important part of what makes Main Street special,” he said.

History, Legacy and the Arts

Tom Nightingale, who purchased the building in 2015, said selling to the Zullo is a meaningful decision.

“As someone raised and educated in Medfield, with children who were also involved in the arts, my wife and I have enjoyed seeing the Zullo thrive and grow since its founding in 1988,” he said. “We’re pleased to be part of its future.”

He added, “To shepherd this historical property for a decade while creating opportunities for three first-generation immigrants to live the American dream, and my fourth-grade gym teacher to bring the arts to our community, has been a real privilege.”

The Main Street building lies within the Town Center Historic District. Though the town assessment database lists it as built in 1890, local records and historians — including Medfield Town Historian Richard DeSorgher — indicate the structure was built around 1860 and relocated from North Street to Main Street.

For nearly four decades, the Zullo Gallery has presented art exhibitions, art classes, live music and community events. In addition to Needham Bank, past and present supporters include Medfield Foundation Inc. and Massachusetts Cultural Council via the Medfield Cultural Council.

Community members who want to join the team that is making a significant investment in the future of the gallery are encouraged to contact Bill Pope for details.

Regular donations can be made online at zullogallery.org or mailed to/dropped off at Zullo Gallery, 456A Main St., Medfield, MA 02052.

BELOW IS BILL POPE’S LETTER TO the ZULLO COMMUNITY –

Zullo Poised to Buy Medfield Building;Community Offers $500K of Support April 9, 2025 Dear Friends, A great landlord is exceedingly rare, but for our non-profit Zullo Gallery-Center for the Arts, it has been a true gem. I’m excited to announce that the Zullo Gallery has entered into an agreement with local residents and building owners Tom and Lisa Nightingale to purchase the 454-456A Main St., Medfield property. Helping to forge this agreement has been a contingent of Zullo Gallery advisory board members and supporters pulling together more than $500,000 in commitments from 35 community members (including the Nightingales themselves) to seal the deal. We are currently working with Needham Bank to finalize financing for the remaining purchase price. Needham Bank funded the Zullo rooftop deck in 2007, and has supported the gallery with numerous event sponsorships over the years.  Navigating the path ahead The process began in late January after the Nightingales let us know they were considering selling the building and would offer the Zullo the right-of-first refusal. While we’ve had many twists and turns since that time, and still have additional steps to go, we’re excited to have gotten this far with so much community support for the Zullo Gallery to have a permanent home in downtown Medfield.  As many long-time supporters know, owning the building has been a goal for decades, but the opportunity always passed us by. Especially important will be making the Zullo handicapped accessible since it will allow us to qualify for more and larger grants. A kitchen and covered rooftop deck are also much-needed building improvements that will in turn, allow for expanded programming. It’s been difficult to do all of this as renters.  It’s important to add that the Zullo team intends to retain the three tenant businesses below (Casa Bella Pizza, Absi Jeweler and Medfield Barbershop) which greatly contribute to the small-business landscape and character of Medfield’s Main Street.  Keeping the legacy alive “As someone who was raised and educated in Medfield, and had children who also went through Medfield Public Schools and were involved in the arts, my wife and I have enjoyed seeing the non-profit Zullo Gallery thrive and grow since its founding in 1988. We’re pleased to have reached an agreement to sell the building to the Zullo, and to be a part of its future,” said Tom Nightingale, who purchased the building in 2015. He added, “To shepherd this historical property for a decade while creating opportunities for three first-generation immigrants to live the American dream, and my fourth-grade gym teacher to bring the arts to our community, has been a real privilege. We’re excited to see the Zullo move to the next chapter in its history.” The Main Street building is in the Town Center Historic District. Records and an article by Town Historian Richard DeSorgher indicate that the building was constructed around 1860 on North Street and later moved to Main Street (even though the town assessment database states it was built in 1890).  For nearly 40 years, the Zullo Gallery has hosted art exhibits, art classes, live music and community events. In addition to Needham Bank, the Zullo counts Medfield Foundation Inc., and Mass Cultural Council/Medfield Cultural Council among its major past and/or present supporters.  On behalf of our Zullo Gallery Board of Trustees, Advisory Board members, and everyone else who has supported the gallery for nearly 40 years, thank you. The building purchase is an exciting milestone for the Zullo Gallery-Center for the Arts, and we hope you’ll continue to be a big part of its continued success. Sincerely, Bill PopeExecutive Director, Zullo Gallery-Center for the Arts P.S. You can still be part of the team that is making a significant investment in the future of the Zullo Gallery!  Just contact me for details. Regular donations can be made via the Zullo website, or by check dropped off or mailed to Zullo Gallery, 456A Main St., Medfield, MA 02052. (Pictured left to right: Zullo Gallery trustee Martha Moon, Zullo Executive Director Bill Pope and building owner/landlord Tom Nightingale.) Experience Zullo Gallery… The 30th Annual Medfield Schools Student-Faculty Art Exhibit is underway through April 27 featuring more than 70 select works from K-12 Medfield Public School students and Visual Art Department faculty. (Shown: “Enveloped” by Greta Krauss, grade 12.) Registration for summer art classes for children in grades 1-7 is open. Featured instructor: Kurt Jackson. The Zullo Gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.

Zullo Gallery Center for the Arts | 456A Main Street | Medfield, MA 02052 US