Jeanne Morton: The Wright Building

Art gives me the power to ​bring people together to share their individual talents and thoughts.

Facebook: wrightbldg

Hull, MA

We are living through a time where state and local funding for the arts is decreasing rapidly coupled with a time of great stress.

My role in the arts community is to bring people together to share their artistic gifts with the intent to educate others, promote their work, and find solace in the arts and their community.

I was raised in Rockland and returned to my hometown ten years ago. I rented a studio at the Wright Building immediately after my move. I was instantly amazed at the talent in the building and the community, and felt I needed to become more involved in the local art scene and help it thrive.

This work is crucially important right now. We are living through a time where state and local funding for the arts is decreasing rapidly, coupled with a time of great stress. I feel the need to use what I have available to me through this great building full of talented, wonderful artists to create opportunities for the Wright Building artists/artisans and the local community.

My ability to offer artists affordable studio space in a building full of people with the same goals, I believe, is helpful to everyone involved.

My ability to make connections between the artists in The Wright Building and the community makes me feel that what I am doing is worthwhile.

I believe my biggest challenge in sustaining this work is one that is familiar to all creatives: funds to do more to promote the building and the artists. The Wright Building has a very generous owner when it comes to the infrastructure itself, but additional funds for gallery shows and community events are always a struggle.

I see “community” in the context of the arts as meaningful interactions between artists and local community members. The Wright Building Open Studios are a perfect example of sharing the arts with the community. Visitors can see working studios and chat with local artists.

Although I have a long list of dreams for the local arts community, I am actively working on a dedicated space for teaching, learning, and collaboration. Space that will bring our artists together with community members for instruction, guest speakers, or just time to find solace.