By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Worcester County Arts Council is opening its Art for the Heart Little Free Gallery this week to serve as a designated space for sharing and observing creative work.

According to a press release issued by Worcester County Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis, the gallery will be “a unique new community space dedicated to the transformative power of art in promoting healing, creativity, and emotional well-being.” The space is located at the front of the Arts Council building.

The Worcester County Arts Council Gallery will hold a grand opening on Nov. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring their art.

Mullis said the gallery was her idea, inspired by her passion for the “impact the arts have on well-being and mental health.”

While not an arts council member, the gallery itself was constructed by World War II veteran James Panzetta. According to the press release, the vet found solace in craftsmanship, which “led him to construct the space.”

“For Panzetta, working on this project was not only an act of creating a community asset but also a deeply therapeutic process of personal healing, helping him find peace through building something meaningful and lasting,” the release continued.

Local artists and community members are encouraged to contribute to the gallery, donating their own work to foster a “growing collection that will continue to inspire and uplift,” Mullis said. “It is a community-driven project, and everyone is welcome.”

“We believe that art has the power to heal and connect us in profound ways,” Mullis said in the press release. “This space is for everyone—whether you’re an artist, someone seeking solace, or simply someone who appreciates creativity’s beauty and therapeutic effects. We want this to be a place of community, comfort, and inspiration.”

Once opened, the gallery will be free and open to everyone, Mullis maintained.