Sterling Meetinghouse News

By Kristen Levine, Reporter

Twenty-two artists exhibited artworks in the theme of appreciating Sterling from June 4 to 6 at the Inspire Sterling Art Show. Inspire Sterling was sponsored by the Sterling Cultural Council and Sterling Historical Commission, providing the free event that was open from 12 to 6 daily.
“I think it will be a really awesome way for upcoming and emerging artists to show their work,” said organizer Lindsey Van Giesen, a member of the Commission, before it took place. “I would love to do this every year.”
This was the maiden voyage of the art show, exhibiting artists from around the area to foster a sense of community within Sterling and its history, as this year will be the 240th anniversary of the town’s founding.
At the show, Van Giesen said her favorite part has been the community aspect, noting that both the artists and the members of the Sterling Cultural Council were instrumental in getting everything put together along with the Historical Commission.
The process of planning the show has been a long process, spanning back from 2020 to gather resources, funding and interest.
“The show was my idea,” Van Giesen said. “I suggested it to the Historical Commission, and we voted on it, and we submitted the grant request to the Cultural Council. The application was in November, and we moved forward with planning and then got approved for it in February.”
The public interest in Inspire Sterling was aimed to not only bring interest into the art world, but to bring attention to a piece of Sterling history. The show was held in the River District School, also known as the West Sterling Schoolhouse. Built between 1835 to 1840, the building saw use as a school until 1935. Owned by the town, the single-room schoolhouse has been preserved as a historical building.
“I was looking for different ways to use a historic space,” Van Giesen said. “Getting people into spaces is a good way to keep them from being forgotten…The Schoolhouse is a small space and having events there may be one way to gain interest.”
The art show encompassed the beauty and rural nature of Sterling, celebrating the town’s roots.
“We wanted to do something to really celebrate Sterling as a place,” Van Giesen said. “The art all has a theme based in Sterling. Each piece had to be inspired by our town and associated with Sterling in some way. The artists come from all different towns in the area: Sterling, Leominster, Princeton, Southbridge…all of the work itself is either in or about Sterling.”
A notable addition to the artists was Rosalind Waters, founding member of the Princeton Arts Society and sculptor who contributed the bronze “Mary Had a Little Lamb” statue in the town center. Waters submitted art to the show despite no longer living in the area. As the show itself was free, no monetary contribution was required to visit and enjoy the exhibits. Van Giesen noted that donations were accepted to fund restoration and upkeep of the Schoolhouse. This article went to print before the final donation amount was tallied.
While Sterling is centric to the first Inspire show, Van Giesen is open to expanded subjects for future events.
“I think I’d like to keep it Sterling, but open to change. It would be nice to continue doing something special for our town – it’s a pretty special place.”