A letter to our members
Dear Friends,
I hope you are well and finding inspiration as summer begins.
There are a lot of changes happening in our region. Much of my time in the last two weeks has been spent on Main Street in downtown Fitchburg, where every day there are trucks and cones shifting our paths. There are also a lot of bumps and delays, but it is exciting to see the activity - whether it is a broader sidewalk taking shape or new lines painted to guide us where to go. But mostly, it is a sign that change is taking place. Change for which we have hoped and waited for what seems a long time.
The spirit of change and making new things happen is occurring all over Fitchburg and our region, with our members and community partners. After two years of waiting and isolation, we are able to see one another again at a performance or exhibit opening or a meeting that isn’t on a zoom screen.
Just as downtown is taking a new shape, the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance is also changing. This spring, the board voted to hire staff to build our resources and manage the Main Street Studios project, created by the Fitchburg Arts Collective in 2019. The Main Street Studios will be in the former Fidelity Bank building at 675 Main Street and part of FSU’s Theater Block.
I am pleased that I write this note to you as the first Executive Director of the Alliance. I am excited to work with the board with whom I had the pleasure of volunteering as president and now have the opportunity to build and strengthen as we move forward with Main Street Studios and as Fitchburg continues to develop into a community where artists can connect, create and build a business.
I look forward to getting to know you, our members, better in the year to come. We will be sending out a survey in the next few weeks to learn how your membership can better serve you, your organization, and your art. I also hope to come see you or invite you to visit our new location. I am always eager to hear about what people are making and imagining in North Central Mass. I welcome the opportunity to learn and discuss how we can work together. Please feel free to call or email any time.
I want to thank the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance Executive Board and Main Street Studios Committee. None of this growth and change would be possible without the efforts of Jennifer Jones, Helen Obemeyer Simmons, Linda Byrne, Thomas Moser, Tamar Russell Brown, and Joe Bowen. I am pleased to say that Joe Bowen will be acting president of FCA through the remainder of 2022. His leadership will be key in our future success..
And finally, none of this would be possible without your support or the creative energy that you bring to this region. We hope you continue to be part of our partnership and the bright future ahead. Thank you.
Be well. Be creative.
Jessie Olson
Executive Director
