FEATURED EVENT: REFLECTIONS

A Valentine’s Day themed photo contest during the first three weeks of February encouraged Cummington residents to submit photos of their favorite local scenes and tell the Cummington Cultural District planning committee what they loved about the town, as well as their vision for more arts and cultural offerings they would like to see in Cummington. Online public voting resulted in favorite photos in five age categories.

We are pleased to announce the winners: 

Lysander Woodard, Potash Hill Farmstead (0-12 age group), 

Fionnghuala Reagan, sunset (12-16 age group), 

Joanna Jarcz, Night Skies (17-19 age group), 

Katy Eiseman, Sheep (40-59 age group), 

Paula Zindler, Cummington Clouds (60+ age group).

Congratulations! And, thank you to everyone who participated by submitting a photo or voting. Thank you also to prize donors: Alice’s Kitchen, Old Creamery Coop, A2Z Science & Learning Toys, A Wing & A Prayer Nursery, Cummington water color artist June Ferrin, and the Cummington Fair.

The committee is in the process of exploring a Massachusetts Cultural Council designation as a Cultural District – a distinct area known as a vibrant place with creative people and events -  which makes the district eligible for state recognition and arts and culture support. The proposed district would give existing programs and events such as Friday Night Café, Hilltown Bash, Kingman Tavern Museum, the Cummington Fair and Project Art contemporary ceramics a new way to cross-promote events and build support for arts and culture in Cummington.

The photo contest was part of the community engagement process for the application by which the committee asks for public input on priorities and the proposed program of work for the district.

Winners & Prizes

(0-12) Lysander Woodard Potash Hill Farmstead

$10 Gift Certificate to Old Creamery Coop, Cummington      

$25 Gift Certificate to A2Z Science & Learning Toys, Northampton    

Tickets to the Cummington Fair (2022) 

(12-16) Fionnghuala Reagan sunset

$10 Gift Certificate to Old Creamery Coop, Cummington      

$25 Gift Certificate to A2Z Science & Learning Toys, Northampton    

Tickets to the Cummington Fair (2022) 

(17-19) Joanna Jaracz  Night Skies

$10 Gift Certificate to Old Creamery Coop, Cummington  

$25 Gift Certificate to A2Z Science & Learning Toys, Northampton 

Tickets to the Cummington Fair (2022) 

(20-59) Katy Eiseman Sheep   

$50 Gift Certificate to Alice’s Kitchen, Cummington    

60+ Paula Zindler Cummington Clouds

Watercolor painting from Cummington artist June Ferrin 

$50 Gift Certificate to Wing & a Prayer Nursery, Cummington

On Saturday, March 7th, Cummington residents had the opportunity to give input and feedback on how arts and culture initiatives could help set goals to be a more healthy, equitable, and vibrant community. A committee of Cummington residents and arts groups has been working for several months on applying for the state’s Cultural District designation – an honorary designation by Mass Cultural Council for neighborhoods known specially for their cultural assets.

Cummington’s history of working artists – from the time of the Cummington School of the Arts to contemporary artists participating in the Hilltown Open Studio Tour – along with cultural offerings at the Kingman Tavern Museum, Old Parsonage, Project Art Contemporary Ceramic Studio, Friday Night Cafes at the Village Church and rotating exhibits at the Cummington Community House, all add to the vibrancy and suitability of Cummington for that designation. The nearby Cummington Agricultural Fairgrounds and the William Cullen Bryant Homestead contribute to the district’s cultural offerings.

The pancake breakfast was a way for the committee to solicit residents’ input on what a thriving town looks like for them and what role arts and culture can play in achieving that. Posters lining the walls allowed residents to give feedback via colorful post-it notes on such questions as: 

Describe a time when you were surprised and delighted by a cultural event in Cummington, What worries you about Cummington’s future and What beautification ideas would you like to see happen first?

The loss of Cummington’s elementary school several years ago, as well as recent controversy over development pressure from a proposed Dollar General Store and a large marijuana processing facility have all contributed to the need for more community conversations about the town’s economic and social future. “One goal of a cultural district that keeps rising to the top for us is for this program to be a unifying force in the town – to bring people together of all ages and backgrounds focusing on what we love about Cummington and why we live here,” says committee member Katy Eiseman.

The kitchen was buzzing with volunteers led by Alice Cozzolino of Alice’s Kitchen who donated most of the food, with syrup from the Tessier and Noel farms. A raffle basket of artwork, books and artisanal products contributed by local artists and crafters showcased their work as well as thanking residents for taking the time to participate in the conversation.