Gloucester Daily Times
Thursday February 16, 2006
Front page: http://www.gloucestertimes.com

It's time to express yourself

By Gail McCarthy
Staff writer


Gloucester's Shaun McNiff has spent the last 30 yea s traveling the globe establishing graduate studies n creative arts therapy. McNiff, an artist, author a d university professor, has accepted an invitation to sha e his talent in his hometown of Glouceste

He recently accepted the post to serve as the president of Artspace, a grass-roots organization dedicated to promoting free expression in the arts for residents here. The nonprofit organization, entering its 12th year, is seeking to develop its board of directors further in its quest to establish itself permanently as a community art center in Gloucester.

McNiff, a creative powerhouse and international educator, witnessed some of the local work of Artspace taking place yesterday at the Riverdale community center, where he met with local children and worked with them as they created spontaneous and imaginative pictures with tempera paint.

"This visit is the beginning of a hands-on approach I hopefully will be continuing," he said.

What began as a vision by Shep Abbott, its founder, in 1994 to create an adult art center, has instead blossomed into an organization dedicated to immersing local youth in art.

In recent years, the board has had a few transitions in its leadership. At one point, Manchester Superintendent Robert Shaps stepped in as president, though he had to resign because of other duties. Abbott took over in the interim.

After sharing his expertise around the globe, McNiff said he is excited to take part in the expansion of arts programs here. Artspace is also part of Cape Ann's cultural coalition, called the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS).

A father of four, McNiff teaches at Lesley University in Cambridge, where he founded its Expressive Therapies and Creative Arts in Learning programs in 1974. Since that time, he has helped established graduate programs in the field both in the United States and overseas.

He has taught throughout Europe and Israel. He worked for seven years as provost and dean of Endicott College. In 2002, Lesley invited him back to be its first university professor, which enables him to teach in different departments and schools and help develop new programs and initiatives.

"We're really excited about (McNiff) accepting the presidency," Abbott said. "Since we've been at new locations in the community and done a tremendous amount in low-cost housing neighborhoods, there's a great potential for what we're doing there. He can give us leadership in designing curriculum and bringing our message to the community."

Artspace focuses on engaging the city's young population in expressive art. McNiff is committed to the mission.

"The after-school programs are an area where Artspace can really soar," he said. "What also ignites my imagination is creating more collaboration and understanding between neighborhoods.

"There is an emphasis on personal expression, rather than academic renderings. Adolescents often think art is all about exact replication, that if you can't render a perfect image, then you don't have ability or talent.

"But expressive art values what every person is able to do. I have spent my life working on this principle, and we have proven that creative expression can begin anywhere with any one."

McNiff said he is eager to work with the many longtime staffers, such as Camilla MacFadyen and Tina Greel, who have begun to branch out to offer after-school programs to local children.

"A major goal is for me to help Shep and the staff to expand our place in the community" he said. "(Abbott) has done so much alone, and he needs support. He is now looking to establish longer-term goals for Artspace."

With McNiff at the helm, the Artspace board of directors has gained some other new members as well.

Jack Clarke, director of government and public relations with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, is another new member.

"In his job, he lobbies for the Mass. Audubon in Boston and Capitol Hill so he is a terrific speaker," Abbott said. "He's also astute in organizational matters. (McNiff and Clarke) will be tremendously helpful in developing Artspace into a permanent Gloucester institution. We'd be pleased to hear from anyone interested in joining a very active new board or volunteering in any other way."

Susan Frey, a member of seARTS and an architect, has also just joined the board. Rockport's Michael Duda, who has experience working with youth, has come aboard and will serve as youth adviser and help in shaping the programs.

Abbott said now that the organization has a firm foundation in the wake of the $100,000 renovation last year at the new Maplewood Avenue headquarters, he wants to look forward to creating programs for the community.

A filmmaker and artist, Abbott brings a diverse background to Artspace. He grew up in Wenham and spent a lot of time on Cape Ann before going to college. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in economics.

He went on to serve four years as a naval officer and spent a year in Vietnam. He pursued filmmaking when he left the service, including spending six years in East Africa before returning to the United States to live in New York. He returned to Cape Ann in 1990.

Back to "In the News"