By Valerie Franchi, Contributing Writer
One of Rob Franco’s paintings on display in the storefront of the former Dress Barn in the Westborough Shopping Center
Photo/submitted
Westborough – The Westborough Public Library and Art and Frame Emporium have teamed up to bring art to town. Each month, they display artworks by one artist, both in the library meeting room and in storefronts at Westborough Shopping Center on the corner of Route 9 and Lyman Street.
Ed Turner, owner of Art and Frame Emporium, was already featuring artists in his storefront window.
“I convinced the landlord of the Westborough Shopping Center to let me take over empty storefronts for art displays to attract more attention to the artists,” he said.
According to Turner, he and Library Director Maureen Ambrosino have been collaborating for about a year to bring a wider recognition of art in the community.
“Maureen and I are of the same mindset of trying to involve more art in the community,” he said.
As part of that effort, Art and Frame Emporium has donated time and expertise to restore some of the town’s valuable artwork at the library.
“We have also made it quite a bit more visually stimulating by adding a great deal of Westborough’s past back on the wall – framed,” Turner explained.
Other treasures at the library include a painting that once hung in the Louvre and an original painting by Turner of Westborough native and U.S. Navy Admiral Louis Denfeld.
Art and Frame Emporium also hold art lessons both at the library and at the store and host “Parched Palette,” Westborough’s own paint and beverages experience.
The pair have showcased 12 artists so far, mostly from the local area. This month, the works of New England artist Rob Franco are on display, showcasing his paintings of boats.
Artists interested in showing their work in Westborough should contact Turner at 508-366-5650.