The Milford Arts Council has announced a collaboration with the Beth-El Center for its latest online exhibit called “Home.” This exhibit shines a spotlight on MAC member artists, challenging them to explore the theme of “home” by expressing what home means to them – as a place or object, a person or memory, a personal reflection or general observation. The theme was specifically created to bring awareness to the issue of housing and food insecurity in the community.
Twenty-four local artists submitted their work to this exhibit, and the online exhibit will be available to view for a $5 fee on the MAC website milfordarts.org at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21. The exhibit will run through March 18.
A portion of the proceeds from exhibit sales will be donated to the Beth-El Center so that they can continue to fulfill their mission to extend dignity and respect to all individuals and families while connecting them to housing, food and services within their communities. The donations will go toward a diversion program that seeks to keep people in their homes, securing housing stability for them. The proceeds will be matched by an anonymous donor. The goal is to keep at least one family in their own home through the winter.
“The pandemic has shed light on many societal issues here and across the country,” said MAC Executive Director Paige Miglio. “We’ve been asking ourselves how we can help bring awareness and tangible help to one of these issues in a way that only the arts can. We knew that housing and food insecurity is a major issue and we love the work of the Beth-El Center located just down the road from us. Beth-El director Jennifer Paradis and I decided this was the perfect partnership at the perfect time.
The Milford Arts Council is also focused on its own mission to support artists and help the community to thrive. The organization is offering a $100 award for best in show and a $50 people’s choice award. The best in show award will be announced at the opening of the exhibit, and the people’s choice award will be announced at the end of exhibit. Voting for the people’s choice award opens on Jan. 21 and closes at noon on March 18.
“We hope that this special exhibit helps people on multiple levels – supporting the artist community, helping Beth-El get one more step towards their vision to create a community where everyone is home and all are fed, and bringing a bit of joy to our patrons and community,” said Lorie Lewis, the MAC’s marketing director.
The MAC and Beth-El have been closely aligned for years, as the location of the MAC at the repurposed Milford train station is primed as a pass-through for individuals experiencing housing insecurity.