What is this?

The Harvard Press has launched a series of articles spotlighting local organizations and all the great work they do. Each article in this series will feature a Q&A with a representative of a local organization. The idea is to inform readers about the organizations in town, what they do, and how to get involved. If you would like your organization to be featured, please contact the editor at editor@harvardpress.com or 978-456-3700.

This week we're starting with the local arts organization, For Art's Sake.

From left: Alison Marteney and Erica Marksteiner with Pam Cochrane present their community service project involving curating and promoting the For Art’s Sake Hidden Harvard photography exhibition last spring.(Courtesy photo)

Organization name: For Art's Sake
Q&A with Melissa Yahia, co-founder, communications/website/Artist the Month and artist directory coordinator; and Pam Cochrane, co-founder, community exhibitions coordinator

How would you describe the group?

For Art's Sake is a non-profit community art association in Harvard, Mass.

What are the purpose, mission, and/or goals of the group?

Dedicated to celebrating, showcasing, and encouraging visual and literary arts and creative thinking and expression within the community, the association provides opportunities for artists, art appreciation, and advocacy for the arts through an online directory and website, community and solo exhibitions, a scholarship fund, provision of community service opportunities, granting art materials for special projects and sponsorship and/or promotion of creative workshops and community art projects and events.

What would you most like people to know about the group?

The For Art's Sake Artist Directory now contains the works of nearly 50 local artists. We hope you have a chance to check out the directory and see our artists' work. You may find that one of your neighbors has a secret talent! If you would like your artwork entered into the directory or to be considered as an artist of the month, please send email to melissayahia@gmail.com.

Are there activities planned for this year?

This fall Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Beth Krommes meets with children at the schools and an after-school gathering at the public library. Her newest book "Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature" and advent calendar will be featured in the General Store gallery. In the "Towners: Harvard Portrait Project," photographer Bob Hubert is creating 50 portraits of residents using his large studio camera. A sampling is in the old library. Look for portraits to appear in other venues soon. Send email to harvardtowners@gmail.com to recommend someone for a portrait. We're also planning an exhibition this spring to celebrate having 50 artists in our Artist Directory.

When was the group formed?

This is For Art's Sake's fifth year.

Is there a history to the group? What brought the group together?

For Art's Sake was formed as a non-profit in response to a teacher's request not to have art students be required to have a user fee. We provided funding for unbudgeted materials on teacher wish lists, provided art advocacy, a scholarship, and display systems, helped with exhibitions, museum trips to NYC and Boston, mentoring the National Arts Honor Society, bringing artists into the school, etc., and then expanded out into the community offering an Artist of the Month program, themed exhibitions throughout year, an on-line directory, workshops, lectures, puppet shows, bookmaking expos, contests, and other events.

Are there memorable moments, interesting stories, or events that you would like others in town to know—or perhaps ones many people already know about?

Three years ago we created a pumpkin walk, inviting pumpkin carvers to put their creations on the cemetery wall in the center. We lit 250 pumpkins on Halloween night—a beautiful spectacle! People continue to bring pumpkins.

Another memorable event was the bookmaking project with third graders led by Bess Haire, another co-founder. "Tiny Books: Giant Knowledge" was an integrated art and literacy project to explore and celebrate the value of books in a series of seven workshops including a book expo and exhibition. Local artists, authors, and a book historian were involved, inspiring kids as they created their own books.

Who may join?

Anyone who would like to support For Art's Sake's effort of offering free events, the Artist of the Month program and exhibitions, and our efforts to support local artists of all ages with supplies, promotion, and/or networking. With a current membership, artists can be entered into the Artist Directory and be considered for the Artist of the Month program. We are grateful for and continue to exist thanks to the support of our members.

Who might be most interested in your group?

Families, individuals who appreciate and value art, and artists (of all kinds: photographers, furniture makers, sculptors, weavers, painters, printmakers, photographers, pottery makers, jewelry makers, quilt makers, book makers, etc.) Also dancers and writers can post classes on the website or offer a workshop through For Art's Sake. And volunteers! We need more hands—to occasionally write artist stories, take photos for our website, help organize events and much more.

When and where does the group meet?

Every third Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the old library. All are welcome to bring ideas, discuss possibilities, or just come hear what's in the works.

How can you contact the group for general information and/or membership?

Contacts are: melissayahia@gmail.com and pccochrane@gmail.com. To join, simply print out a membership form at www.forartssake-harvard.org/join.

Website: www.forartssake-harvard.org

—Questions written by Sydney Blackwell