From Krissy King, MPH, Substance Use Prevention Coordinator
Photovoice Gallery to Showcase Medfield High School Student Art and Wellness Project Public Walkthrough on January 22 at Medfield High School Library
Medfield, MA — Members of the public are invited to attend a gallery walkthrough of the Medfield Photovoice student art project on January 22 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. at the Medfield High School Library.
Through a variety of expressive media, including photo collages, triptych art, light painting, and digital art, Medfield High School students explored a series of prompts reflecting the positive and negative influences on their health and well-being. Each project is accompanied by student-written captions designed to inspire education, reflection, and community dialogue about the experiences and challenges facing Medfield youth.
Medfield Photovoice is a collaborative effort between the Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) community coalition, the Bellforge Arts Center, and the Medfield High School Art Department. Originally developed in 1992 by Caroline C. Wang and Mary Ann Burris, the Photovoice model is a participatory health promotion strategy that empowers individuals to examine personal and community issues through the lens of photography. This project supports MCAP’s ongoing Action Plan to advance youth health and wellness in Medfield through education, empowerment, and community-driven change.
The reception will also feature spoken reflections from selected Medfield students, accompanied by live music from the Medfield Guitar Club.
For additional information, please contact Krissy King at kking@medfield.net.
Last night ONYX Partners Ltd. (Anton Melchionda of Dover) presented the following proposal to a joint meeting of the Select Board, Warrant Committee, and Medfield Park & Recreation Commission.
Points from my notes:
ONYX’s entity as the developer would be a for profit real estate entity owning the land and the 80,000 sq. ft., 8 court basketball facility.
Medfield Park & Recreation Commission gets a 20,000 sq. ft. facility.
ONYX would still go ahead if the # of courts were reduced to as few as four.
ONYX’s prime tenant (30-40%) would be the non-profit BB program for kids K-12 Anton runs.
ONYX would pay property taxes.
Structures could be moved around on the site.
Bellforge Arts Center stated it is also interested in acquiring the use of the same 12 acres for purposes related to its cultural arts center.
My initial thoughts:
The town needs to know the financial details, but those are only likely to come much later, after the annual town meeting (ATM) and responses to a town request for proposals (RFP).
The large amount of traffic generated would severely impact residents.
I would place any structures next to the RR tracks, as far as possible from Hospital Road, so they are as hidden as much as possible from Hospital Road by the elevation change, in order to protect the view scape from the top of the hill as much as possible.
If an RFP is put out, it should be for any and all uses, so the town can evaluate all possible options for this precious town asset, including one from the Bellforge Arts Center.
Finally, as an alternative, I encourage Medfield Park & Recreation Commission to consider doing its own building, on the basis that the town borrows the money for MPRC’s building and MPRC commits to paying the debt service on that building out of the fees MPRC charges for programs they run out of the building. A former director of MPRC opined that the program revenues could financially pay the debt service.
Location: Fellowship Hall, First Floor, UCC Medfield, 496 Main Street Medfield, MA 02052
Fair: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Event Promotion: Please share Medfield TV’s promotional video on Facebook and Instagram, invite your friends to the Facebook Event page, and also share any of the attached graphics with your email newsletter subscribers.
Posted onJuly 22, 2024|Comments Off on Medfield Gazebo Players next weekend at Bellforge – 5PM Sat. & Sun.
I saw the Medfield Gazebo Players’ performance of Two Gentlemen of Verona last night next to the Lee Chapel as the sun set. I loved the Shakespeare with 50’s Doo Wop music and actors in poodle skirts and doing 50’s dance numbers. Medfield’s Small family crushed it, playing almost half the roles and Steve directing. Cynthia Small played the Duke and even had her own song – the “”Duke of Earl” played for each entrance.
I highly recommend that people share the fun and attend next weekend, 5PM on both Saturday and Sunday. This is quality local theatre, outside as the day ends – delightful! Bring your own snacks or dinner. The couple next to me really knew how to live – they brought drinks, dinner, chairs, and a small table – sweet.
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Bellforge Arts Center executive director Jean Mineo stands inside the Lee Chapel on the campus of the former Medfield State Hospital. The arts center plans to convert the building into a concert venue that can hold 325 people.JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
MEDFIELD — In the fall of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the Coolidge Corner Theatre hosted a special drive-in screening of “Shutter Island” in this Norfolk County town. The location was apt: Martin Scorsese’s 2010 thriller, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed in part on the abandoned grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital.
With more than two dozen buildings on 87 acres, the hospital campus had approximately 2,300 patients at the height of its occupancy. By the time it closed in 2003, just 200 remained. In recent years, the only people making use of the space, about a 40-minute drive outside Boston, have been dog owners and power walkers.
Last summer, however, more than 10,000 people visited the vacant, boarded-up campus. They gathered on the lawn next to Lee Chapel, the centerpiece of the former psychiatric hospital, to hear live local music.
Those shows drew their audiences by little more than word of mouth. This summer, though, the team that has come together to establish the Bellforge Arts Center expects to produce a full slate of concerts, including bookings already confirmed with Buffalo Tom, the exuberant saxophonist Grace Kelly, and a first-of-its-kind festival curated by Boston rapper Cousin Stizz. All events, including upcoming Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, can be found on the Bellforge website.
Planners hope that by the end of 2025, the Lee Chapel at the former Medfield State Hospital will be transformed into a live music venue that can hold 325 people. In the meantime, the campus will host a series of outdoor concerts.JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
They’re also gutting and refurbishing the chapel and the nearby infirmary. Within a couple of years, the chapel will become a live music venue with a capacity of 325. The infirmary will house a recording studio and several rehearsal spaces.
“If everything stays on track, we’re looking at the end of 2025″ for an official unveiling, said Jean Mineo, Bellforge’s executive director. She’s a Medfield resident who was director of the Boston Sculptors Gallery for 10 years and, more recently, chairwoman of the Medfield Cultural Council.
The new arts center will roll out in three phases, Mineo said during a recent walk around the grounds. More than 300 rental housing units, some reserved for artists, will become available alongside the music facilities. Later additions are expected to include gallery spaces and a culinary arts center.
“We’re putting a stake in the ground for culture,” said Mineo, who also envisions a sculpture park on the open land. “If you’re buying in, you’re buying into all of it.”
Coinciding with Bellforge’s plans, Trinity Acquisitions will build 334 rental units in the other buildings on the campus. Twenty-five percent of those units will be reserved for affordable housing, Mineo said. As part of the deal, the developer will oversee the work on the chapel and the infirmary. Bellforge has signed a 99-year lease with the town to maintain the arts center on the property.
As she spoke, Mineo walked past a rear building that was once fenced in. It served as the hospital’s home for the “criminally insane.” A group of local students recently installed a cluster of benches in front of that building adorned with messages in mosaic: “Hope Is . . . Light. Optimism. Pure. Everything.”
An artist’s rendering of the future Bellforge Arts Center.DBVW ARCHITECTS
Medfield State Hospital was built between 1896 and 1914. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2014, the town of Medfield closed on a $3.1 million deal to purchase 128 acres of the property from the state. Four years later, a committee submitted a master plan for the new development. In 2019, the Town Meeting approved zoning requirements and adopted the master plan.
During the planning process, Mineo approached Paul Armstrong to help the arts initiative program live music events. Armstrong is the CEO of Redefined, a music and technology company. After relocating to Boston over a decade ago (“I met my wife at Great Scott,” he said, referring to the Allston music club), he founded the online culture magazine Vanyaland and took over the Boston Music Awards.
Having grown up in England on a steady diet of Boston bands — the Pixies, the Cars, the Lemonheads — Armstrong has a healthy respect for his adopted city’s deep-rooted music scene. He has paid close attention to the arrival of the city’s newest large-scale venues (Roadrunner, MGM Music Hall at Fenway) and the dismaying departure of smaller stages (including ONCE Somerville and the aforementioned Great Scott).
“There’s more than enough talent, but not enough venues to go around,” Armstrong said.
Paul Armstrong, who’s in charge of programming live events at the former state hospital campus, looks down into the Lee Chapel sanctuary from a loft. JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
Based on last summer’s successes — artists who helped break in Bellforge’s inaugural season included Cliff Notez, Martin Sexton, and the Q-Tip Bandits — Armstrong and Mineo are confident that audiences will come. They hope to arrange some form of public transportation to and from the venue. In the meantime, there’s plenty of parking, and the land abuts a bucolic section of the Charles River, where the Charles River Link Trail meets the Bay Circuit Trail.
Roughly equidistant between Boston, Providence, and Worcester, the new Bellforge Arts Center should draw visitors from all three metropolitan regions, Armstrong said. On a hot Saturday last August, the Q-Tip Bandits were one of several bands that performed as part of a daylong bill at Bellforge.
“We played with a lot of local bands we had heard about but never actually gotten to play with,” bassist Claire Davis recalled. With a food truck, an alcohol concession, and a relaxed vibe, the field was “like its own little bubble. It had a low-key festival vibe that I think has a lot of potential.”
A Michigan native, Davis said she’s accustomed to seeing what creative people can do in repurposed spaces.
“I loved the area. I thought the buildings were beautiful, and there was a sunflower field in full bloom when we were there. In Detroit, it’s common to have abandoned buildings that often get converted into new things, and there’s a beauty about that to me. I felt lucky we got to be there, bringing good energy to the space.”
Time has stopped on the clock tower of the Lee Chapel at the former Medfield State Hospital.JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
When completed, Lee Chapel will feature a state-of-the-art sound system and a motorized seating arrangement, which will convert for both seated and general admission shows, Armstrong said.
“The bones are gorgeous,” he noted as he and Mineo led a reporter and photographer up to the balcony of the empty building. “I’m geeking out. It’s going to be amazing.”
A long time ago, the hospital held Friday night dances for the townspeople. Local lore has it that it cost them a dollar to attend, unless they agreed to dance with the patients.
When it opens, it will cost more than a dollar to attend a show at the new Bellforge Arts Center, but the dancing will still be free.
Posted onMarch 27, 2023|Comments Off on NLFB’s 6th annual 5k Trail Run and Kids Fun Run – 5/13
From Tod Dimmick –
The 6th New Life 5k Trail Run hits the trails on May 13th
New Life Furniture Bank is excited to host its 6th annual 5k Trail Run and Kids Fun Run, on Saturday, May 13th on the Medfield State Hospital grounds (at Hospital Rd. & Service Dr., Medfield, MA). The route winds through the beautiful Charles River Reservation, and the event is open to runners, walkers and everyone in between. Bellforge Arts Center will host a live DJ, food trucks, and fitness activities.
Trail Run registration is open at newlifefb.org/5ktrailrun. An “early bird” discount of $25 is available until April 29; after that registration will be $30 until May 11; and $35 on race day. On-site Kids Fun Run registration will be $5. There is a $5 group discount for teams of four or more when the registrations are made at the same time. On-site registration opens at 9:00 am on race day. Children ages 4-10 are invited to join us for the Kids Fun Run at 10:00 am, and the Trail Run starts at 10:30 am, with live music to follow. The first 250 people to register will receive a t-shirt on race day.
The Trail Run benefits New Life Furniture Bank of MA and its mission to provide gently used household furnishings to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness.
The Medfield-based non-profit organization operates a Walpole Donation Center and serves the MetroWest and Greater Boston area. New Life provides a meaningful option for folks who are downsizing, renovating or disposing of a loved one’s property.
“Last year, New Life served over 700 households and the demand for our services is greater than ever,” noted Rich Purnell, Executive Director of New Life. “The Trail Run is a fun and effective way to make a difference for the individuals and families we serve as we empower them with the means to furnish their homes.” Over the years, the Trail Run has become a community-building event and New Life is grateful to Bellforge for collaborating to enhance the race atmosphere.
Those interested in being a sponsor, volunteering, donating home furnishings, or making a financial contribution are encouraged to visit www.newlifefb.org.
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Posted onSeptember 26, 2022|Comments Off on CultureFest at Bellforge Arts Center 10/8, 10-3
From Lauren Zembron –
The Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Lion Dance will feature a dance performance, during which the lion will “eat” a head of lettuce (representing money) and two oranges (representing gold). The lettuce and oranges will then be tossed back into the audience to symbolize sharing of good fortune and luck. There will also be a costume try-on session for children following the performance.
Next up will be Kurt Jackson, a beloved Medfield teacher, artist, and children’s storyteller, who will be sharing his energetic and engaging storytelling with the audience.
Following Kurt will be Sista Dee, a Caribbean Steel Pan Artist. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Sista Dee is known for her steel pan playing & vocal style. She performs all around the world.
After Sista Dee, there will be an African Dance Workshop with Simdaca African Dance Academy. Simdaca focuses on expression through authentic Authentic Urban, Traditional Western & Central African Dances, and Afro-Contemporary Dance. Both adults and kids are welcome to join the dance workshop!
Comelia Latin Jazz Band will be on stage next. This ensemble band features instrumental jazz standards performed with Latin rhythms.
Given that CultureFest is the Saturday prior to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are especially excited about and thankful to be welcoming The Nettukkusqk Singers to the performer lineup. Comprised of women from both the Wampanoag and Nipmuc Tribes, this group performs traditional and contemporary songs accompanied by hand drums, rattles, and water drums. In the Natick dialect of Algonquin, “nettukkusqk” means “my sister”.
The last performance of the day will be the Turkish string ensemble, Bengisu Gokce Trio, joined by the Boston Music Project. The Boston Music Project is comprised of teaching artists and Boston Public School students. It is of interesting note that composer, Lowell Mason, was born in Medfield and is widely considered to be the “father of public music education in America”. The addition of music into the standard school curriculum was largely due to efforts Mason made in Boston in the mid-19th century. Thus, it is fitting to have Boston Public School students performing in the birthplace of Lowell Mason.
All are welcome to attend this fun day out and join in celebrating and learning about the customs, traditions, artwork, music, and food of diverse people within and around Medfield. In addition to the musical and dance performances, there will be kids’ activities, arts & crafts vendors, and food purveyors. CultureFest runs from 10 am to 3 pm on October 8th at Bellforge Arts Center, located at 45 Hospital Road (https://bellforge.org/getting-here/). Rain date is October 9th. There is plenty of free parking and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the festival.
We hope to see you there!
CultureFest Performers
(Medfield, MA): Medfield Together and Bellforge Arts Center are excited to share the performer lineup and schedule for CultureFest, a multicultural festival held on October 8th at Bellforge Arts Center. The performance schedule will be as follows:
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Posted onSeptember 13, 2022|Comments Off on “CELEBRATE WOMEN” concert at Bellforge Arts Center 9/30
From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center
BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES “CELEBRATE WOMEN” CONCERT
(Medfield, MA):The Bellforge Arts Center and the Blackstone Valley String Quartet are pleased to bring you “Celebrate Women,” a concert celebrating notable female songwriters and composers, both modern and historical. From Taylor Swift to Madeline Sirmen, hear the works of fabulous female musicians as you enjoy this outdoor concert at Bellforge on Friday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $19 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/BellforgeCelebrateWomen. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic dinner to enjoy this outdoor concert.
Celebrate Women is one of many concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org. For more information about the Blackstone Valley String Quartet, please visit www.blackstonevalleyquartet.com.
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The Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex being built on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Bellforge currently offers outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, along with over 200 miles of nature trails and outdoor recreation space. Once fully renovated, the center will also offer visual and performing arts studios, arts education, a 300-seat performance venue, and more.
The Blackstone Valley String Quartet’s mission is to bring quality music to the community in the Blackstone Valley area and beyond. They provide community concerts, perform for local community events, volunteer time for community projects and provide event services. The BVQ is committed to the goal of providing quality musical experiences for all areas of community life.
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I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
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