According to a 2017 article from Linkedin, “Research shows that art in the workplace reduces stress, increases creativity and productivity, enhances commitment, broadens employee appreciation of diversity, and encourages discussions. Art humanizes the work environment and gives the business a context in their employees’ lives and activities.” In today’s world, it’s easy to go to a big box store and purchase generic canvas prints of mass reproduced art. The beauty of the Art-Lending program is that your space can be totally transformed by displaying original artwork, made by local artists. 

I had the opportunity to assist the New Art Center’s Exhibitions Coordinator, Rose Periello, on an install for our Art Lending Program at the Berry Dunn offices in Waltham.  Berry Dunn, an accounting firm headquartered in New England,  is a member of the New Art Center’s Art Lending Program. Their lobby, which is soaked with natural sunlight, is filled with warm wood tones contrasted with bold deep blues and soft neon greens. It seems like every nook and cranny has plant life. While it’s extremely welcoming, the walls were bare. I was excited to see how this already beautiful space would transform with the artwork that Rose had curated.

After our installation, I did another walk through. The once white walls were now filled with bright, expressive artwork, all created by local artists. I noticed many themes tying this work together; the first and most apparent being the connection, and simultaneous contrast of warms and cools. The contrasting colors are electric, but not overpowering.  As you walk down the main connecting hallway, your eyes follow the intricate linework on each canvas. There is a soft rigidity in structure that ties all of these paintings together. Each piece stands out without distracting attention from the next. Some are abstract, others are more rooted in representationalism, but altogether, there is something in each painting that gives you a clue to what might be next. There is an overwhelming sense of calm and beauty that is created with the curation of this year’s show at Berry Dunn

Seeing how beautifully this show came together, I wanted to take time to interview Rose about the Art-Lending Program so local businesses and artists could have a better understanding on how to become involved in this wonderful resource. 

I had the pleasure of installing with you at Berry Dunn- The artwork you chose works perfectly in their space. For this year’s show, what sort of work were they looking for? In other words, what direction did they give you? How did you adapt what you were thinking to also fit their vision?

Thank you – it was so nice getting to talk with you about the program since you have a lot of experience with art lending! There’s a lot of space for a range of works at BerryDunn. Their space can accommodate approximately 30-40 pieces. The life cycle of the project is very collaborative! I give them an initial proposal where I draw inspiration from the names of their conference rooms, the physical space, and/or surrounding imagery. They provide me with feedback on the initial proposal and thus begins the conversation! 

How does this program benefit the artists that are a part of the program? Do artists have to submit specific pieces or is it based on what you’ve chosen from their body of work? 

The program benefits artists in numerous ways! Firstly, it gives artists a platform to share their work with new audiences. Exhibiting artwork is an important part of the artmaking process. We strongly believe that artists should be compensated for their time and effort – so we offer stipends for our 12-month loans. Sometimes the business chooses to purchase artworks to be permanently on display. It’s definitely a scenario in which everyone is happy! The artist has found a home for their work and the organization is the proud owner of original art. We promote and facilitate sales to staff members, customers, and to the organizations themselves. When a sale happens, I view it as the cherry on top!

Artists can submit specific work during our open call process, or they can reach out directly to me to show me their body or work. I love building new connections with artists so that I can directly inform them of opportunities that match their interests! 

As the Exhibitions Coordinator, you work closely with each organization to curate a show that compliments their style, brand, and space. What is your process when it comes to curating for each specific business? Is it different every time?

I love being able to take a unique approach for each organization! I have a strong understanding of the work each organization prefers. I use that general sense when I begin planning an upcoming rotation, but I also like to check in with organizations to see if there is anything in particular they are interested in seeing in their space. Some organizations have specific preferences when it comes to subject matter or style, while others enjoy the freshness of a dynamic display.

I know you’re an artist yourself- how does this help when you curate and design spaces? What specific things are you looking for? 

I have a strong sense of visual design because of my training as an artist. I use the space’s design elements, such as colors and shape, and purpose to compliment the art. I think like making art, when I curate I’m looking for connections to create a cohesive, visually appealing “finished product” that provides the opportunity to start conversations. 

The New Art Center has had the Art-Lending Program since 2011. Can you tell me a little bit about the program? How does it work if an artist wants to join and have their work exhibited? What about an organization that’s interested in showing work? 

The program is a wonderful opportunity for local artists, organizations, and the community to connect through art. We have 6 rotations across 4 satellite galleries per year so we post open calls each. An artist can join the program in multiple ways – they can respond to an open call for a single opportunity. These calls can be found on our website. In addition to one-off submissions, some artists choose to show me their body of work and allow me to select work that I think would fit. As far as organizations go – I encourage them to reach out today to ask about how to get involved! It involves a site visit and consultation to understand what they are looking to achieve.

Thank you so much for your insightful and thoughtful responses, Rose! I had such a great time shadowing you on this install and learning more about this incredible program that the New Art Center offers to the community. 

If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or an exhibiting artist, please reach out to Rose Periello at [email protected].