Reading Welcomes Local Art Exhibit to Town Hall

Rotating display coordinated with community group DRAW01867

Reading, MA – The Town of Reading is excited to announce the addition of a new public art installation inside Town Hall. In collaboration with community group DRAW01867 (Downtown Reading Art Walk 01867), 11 pieces by eight artists are currently on display, and Town Hall will be a new stop during the annual Art Walk this September. 

Displayed in a prime space on the first floor of Reading Town Hall, situated between the Town Clerk’s Office and the Building Department, this rotating art exhibit showcases a variety of mediums, including watercolor, drawing, acrylics, fiber arts, mosaics, and more. Current pieces, displayed since April, will remain in place through October. 

“Reading is home to a thriving art community, and the new exhibit at Town Hall transforms an otherwise unremarkable corner into a welcoming, bright spot for visitors conducting business here,” said Town Manager Fidel Maltez. “It’s a wonderful daily reminder of all the artistic talent we have here in town, and we thank DRAW01867 for their efforts to support local, accessible art.”

DRAW01867 is a group of Reading artists and volunteers committed to bringing art to the community, primarily through the annual Downtown Reading Art Walk. Voted “The most attended cultural event of 2020” by the Reading Cultural Council Annual Survey, DRAW01867’s annual Art Walk is celebrating its fifth iteration this fall. With 24 locations in the downtown area, including Town Hall and the Reading Public Library, the walk is self-guided and is set to run from September 10 – October 1.

The art selected for the Town Hall display and for the larger upcoming Art Walk is all non-juried, and the 2023 theme is “Allusions.” 

“The continuation of the Art Walk, from the original Paint the Town event around the Reading 375 anniversary to the Downtown Reading Art Walk today, shows the continued interest from local artists in sharing their art in free and public spaces,” said DRAW01867 Committee Coordinator Eileen Barrett. “This year, we’ll have more than 70 pieces by 45 artists, all thanks to our volunteers, artists, and grant funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Reading Cultural Council.”

More information on the Town Hall installation can be found here: https://www.draw01867.org/reading-town-hall-exhibit. Residents are welcome to view the exhibit during Town Hall hours.