Hammonton Arts Center settles into new home on Second St.
Page 4 • Wednesday, September 26, 2018 • The Hammonton Gazette
ARTS, from Page 1
has since become a staple within
the downtown Hammonton arts
District. However, times of uncer-
tainty arose over the past 23 years,
and recently left the HaC and its
board searching for a new home.
“We thought we were going to
be able to stay there, but then the
owners changed their mind,”
HaC Board President annette
rinker said.
the HaC’s two-story Bellevue
avenue location was sold approx-
imately one year ago, which
started a liquidation and moving
process that seemed “endless,” ac-
cording to HaC member and for-
mer trustee Jeanette DePiero.
“We had to downsize, put it that
way. We gave things away. any-
body that helped, if they wanted
anything, take it. anybody that
was part of this process, we were
happy to give it away, and we had
several yard sales prior to that,”
DePiero said.
in June 2018, it was confirmed
that the HaC would be moving to
its new location. the next three
months were a fast-paced transi-
tion that was primarily facilitated
by HaC Board Vice President
Jack McGovern, treasurer Cathie
Skinner and trustee robin D’a-
mado, who DePiero said picked
up a lot of slack while rinker was
away on vacation for an extended
period of time.
“they contacted movers, they
worked with the new landlord.
those were—in my opinion—the
three main people that coordi-
nated it … We were like the
helpers, the packers that got rid of
things. We helped them,” DePiero
said.
Before 10 S. Second St. was
chosen as the HaC’s new loca-
tion, several other spots were con-
sidered. rinker credits MainStreet
Hammonton executive Director
Cassie iacovelli for bringing it to
the board’s attention that there
was a former architect firm avail-
able for rent on South Second
Street.
“i feel like it has a good vibe.
it’s welcoming … We were really
lucky to find this place. Cassie
with MainStreet heard that it was
going to be up for rent and she put
us directly in touch with the
owner, so it wasn’t even listed,”
rinker said.
the HaC’s new location is
slightly smaller than its previous
headquarters, but it now features
a finished basement that will soon
contain a clayworks with a kiln. in
addition to the HaC’s usual space
rentals, paint parties, art classes
and monthly themed gallery
shows, its new location will con-
tinue to host special events during
every third thursday from 6 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. as a part of Main-
Street Hammonton’s third thurs-
day festivities.
On the second thursday of each
month, the HaC will host an open
studio period (free for members)
from 10 a.m. to noon. During this
time, artists can come to paint,
draw or shoot photographs in a re-
laxed, social atmosphere. Contact
Barbara
Grace
at
[email protected] for addi-
tional information.
the HaC welcomes artists on
the second and fourth Saturday of
each month for “Be inspired”—an
open studio period (free for mem-
bers but can be tried by non-mem-
bers) that invites artists to bring
whatever artwork they’re working
on, beginning at 11 a.m.
Lastly, all members who are
photography enthusiasts can visit
the new HaC from 6 p.m. to 8
p.m. on the third Monday of each
month for a photography-centric
st