RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
A plethora of colorful landscape, portrait and object paintings are showcased in the art gallery of the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library on 13 Harrison Ave. in Berlin.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Aug. 15, 2019) People who visit the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library can find a hidden gem on the second floor: a gallery featuring local artists.

“It’s a beautiful space,” said Anna Mullis, executive director of the Worcester County Arts Council.” It is connected to a meeting room and a youth section, so there’s a lot of traffic right there, and a lot of people can take advantage of seeing local art.”

The Worcester County Library Foundation entrusted the space to the Worcester County Arts Council a year ago when the newly constructed branch opened.

“It means a lot,” Mullis said.

While it’s a responsibility to maintain the gallery, Mullis said the organization was excited to take on this venture to promote local artists.

She added there is a library gallery committee, and its members curate the space. Over the past year, Mullis said there have been three group exhibitions, with smaller exhibits shown every other month.

Roughly 70 artists have shown their work at the library, with each artist contributing about 12 pieces.

“People who come to visit [the] Berlin library, they do not expect to see artwork on display there, so we found out that a lot of people really appreciate that,” Mullis said.

The library officially opened its doors on Aug. 7, 2018. Construction of the $6.3 million project began in May 2017, and it took about 14 months to complete. However, the idea to build a new library, and replace the smaller one that was built in 1970, was years in the making, according to Library Director Jennifer Ranck.

The Worcester County Commissioners purchased the site on Harrison Avenue for $430,000 five years ago. Additional funding came from the state, Town of Berlin, the Worcester County Library Foundation, the Mary Humphreys Foundation and private donors.

“The addition of the gallery in the Berlin Library is a very special part of the building,” Ranck said. “We are fortunate to have a space where local artists can shine, and the community is able to see their work free of charge.”

Mullis agreed.

“The library is a public library and we feel like … any artist should have an opportunity to show their work,” Mullis said.

The gallery currently features two-dimensional pieces. Mullis said she hopes the organization can exhibit three-dimensional artwork, including varying types of sculpture and glasswork in the future, but that would require additional funding for displays.

The county’s library and art organization are pleased with the alliance.

“The Worcester County Arts Council has been wonderful to work with as they coordinate the different exhibits. We are grateful for this partnership,” Ranck said.

The Worcester County Arts Council has space available for exhibitions in 2020. Artists should submit a biography and samples of work to curator@worcestercountyartscouncil.org by the end of September.