Local Artists Branch Out: New Art Space to Open at One Grove Place
By Editor at June 5, 2024 | 9:45 am | Print
The New Britain Artists’ Co-op is joining forces with One Grove Place to introduce a new art space to the community. With an opening reception scheduled for July 8th from 5:30-8 p.m., Art at the Grove promises to be “something familiar, but different enough to stick.”
Formerly a ball bearings factory, One Grove Place is a professional office building just outside of the boundaries of Downtown. It is managed by Triad Real Estate Services, who extended an offer to the Cooperative after reading about their space needs in the New Britain City Journal.
“It is something we can do for the artists in our community,” says Kyle Meccariello, property manager. “And, clearly, it will also benefit us: having art throughout this building will be good for the over three-hundred people who have business here each day. Our tenants will feel a bit better about coming to work.”
“Art at the Grove isn’t a traditional gallery experience,” says No’a Roche, President of the Cooperative. “This isn’t a room that you go into, look at paintings, turn around and leave. This is an opportunity to teach people about art as a necessary component of the environment—and not just for privileged folks.”
One Grove Place is open to the public throughout the workweek until about 8PM, and people will be invited to peruse the art displays at their leisure, while maintaining respect for those at work in the building. Sales will be managed by the Cooperative, and art is currently being sourced from within New Britain and as far away as Japan. The exhibit will also feature a collection entitled “Art for Good,” original pieces submitted by non-profits as a fundraiser.
“We’re not particularly affluent folks,” says Roche, “but we never let an opportunity to give back to the community pass us by.”
Triad Real Estate Services also is looking beyond the building when considering the impact of the project.
“This can help connect the Broad Street area and Downtown,” says Meccariello. “Filling in the space between those two locations with interesting amenities will connect and revitalize the area, which is something everybody can support.”
Roche says the experience has already been fantastic.
“They’re definitely ‘yes,’ people—everybody in the building has been really excited. It’s great that we’re already appreciated, and Kyle even agreed to take care of some things that make the project more manageable for a group with our humble resources.”
“This is huge for us,” says Roche. “But we also think it will be a good-sized step for the community. We’re already thinking, ‘oh, what if someone rents the café in the building? We should offer to help decorate and plan little lunchtime performances there.’ When someone is this generous with you, it really energizes your own sense of what value you can give.”
“It’s about learning to live together and help one another,” concludes Roche, “and this is a great example of people trying to do that.”
To submit works for consideration or to donate to the Cooperative, e-mail [email protected].
