Arts

The Malden Writers’ Collaborative fosters the art of writing

William Shakespeare was a member of a writing group that called themselves “The University Wits,” Dorothy Parker was a member of “The Vicious Circle”  which later became known as “The Algonquin Round Table.” Although no one from The Malden Writers’ Collaborative (TMWC) has come close to reaching that level of fame and notoriety, TMWC has helped writers of all levels further their craft. As their annual public reading draws near (May 29, 2014 at the Malden Public Library), Neighborhood View sat down with Evangeline Vickery , the founder and facilitator of the group to talk about “fostering a writerly community among aspiring writers with a focus on workshopping and the study of craft.” Originally from Manlius, New York, Eva makes her home in Malden with her husband, her cat, and her string instruments. During the day she’s the Office & Accounts Manager for Reuning & Son Violins but the rest of the time she calls herself a writer.  “I’ve been writing for most of my life. I recently went through a box of old school papers from my […]

Arts

Frank Stella re-connects with hometown Malden

As a boy growing up in Malden, renowned artist Frank Stella remembers passing his time at the Malden Public Library and playing outside with friends along what is now the Northern Strand Bike Trail. Stella, who was born in 1936, left Malden for New York City in 1958 after graduating from Oberlin College and never returned, making his mark on the art world with his abstract paintings, sculpture, and geometric designs. His work has shown widely throughout the world, including the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art in New York City. On March 18, 2014, Stella returned to the area to accept an award from WalkBoston for the Walkability Initiative propelled by Malden resident Sharon Santillo in collaboration with Mayor Gary Christenson. Stella’s artwork is incorporated in the wayfaring signs that promote walking in Malden. WalkBoston, which awarded the trio (Santillo, Christenson, and Stella) with the organization’s “Golden Shoe” award, noted that Malden’s walking initiative was the first to combine walkability with art. Santillo, herself an artist, was inspired by the work of Stella and […]

Arts

Breathtaking art at ‘Malden Reads’ event

Malden Public Library’s Converse Building served as a stunning backdrop to the “Malden Reads” kick-off celebration on Thursday, February 20. Did you know that the awe-inspiring art collection was financed by shoe tycoon Elisha Slade Converse and his wife? Not only did Converse pay for the ornate building, he left $50,000 after his death in 1904.