Two Mini-Galleries Earmarked for Central Campus in Bedford

The Bedford Select Board approved the installation of two new miniature interactive art galleries. Courtesy photo

A couple of miniature art galleries will add to the landscape of the town’s central campus before cold weather arrives.

Jeff King, the town’s housing and economic development director, said a free-standing “interactive gallery,” where anyone can post and replace a work of art, is planned for the plaza area between Town Center and Town Hall, near the Kids’ Club door.

A second structure, planned for a spot near the entrance to Bedford High School, is intended to showcase youth art, King said. BHS Program Director for Art Sean Hagan is assembling the framework with help from students. It will host rotating student art exhibits.

“This is an opportunity to create awareness as well as something for the public to enjoy,” said King, who works with volunteers to enhance the town’s cultural district. The displays also will “educate people on the importance of art and allow for interactive experiences.”

The Bedford Select Board formally approved installation of the new features at Monday’s regular meeting.

Christine Wojnar, a member of the ad hoc Bedford Cultural District Partnership, introduced the idea. Wojnar, who coordinated the peace poles art project in the summer of 2021, said she received a photo of a mini-gallery from a friend in Maine.

Two mini art galleries – one near Kids’ Club and one near the entrance to BHS – will allow an interactive public display of small scale art. Image: Robert Dorer

“I brought it up to the cultural district team and everybody really liked the idea,” she said.

The structure earmarked for the Town Center campus was built by Wes Cole of Troop 114 as an Eagle Scout community service project. Wojnar said local artist Sarah Scoville painted the lettering on the doors, and after the base is stained it will be installed by a crew from the Department of Public Works.

“I’ve already been asking artists to think about small things to display there,” Wojnar said. She noted that one possibility is displaying works of art from children attending Kids’ Club.

King said the state grant supporting the cultural district provided funding. “We coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Facilities Department to make sure everything worked,” he said.

The materials include pressure-treated wood and shingles, and “we will be monitoring to see how they stand up to the weather,” he reported.