STATE OF THE ARTS

Hello Friend!
 
As spring rolls into summer, we invite you to join us for the ride at Laura's Center for the Arts! 

Memorable moments both on stage and in the studios kept the staff and faculty at Laura's Center a buzz this spring. As this school year wraps up our team recounts the most marvelous adventure and a first for the Center. Stoughton's Hansen School thought "out-of-the-school" this spring when they requested a workshop for their talented fourth graders to experience the performing arts through music, character development, and acting on our stage. The morning workshop welcomed 45 students and faculty who performed in three performances based on Aesop's Fables devised by Tyler Cavanagh, Arts & Education Assistant Director.  Our team looks forward to more opportunities where school groups can jump right into the arts!
 
From family, adult, adult/child, and youth programming, Girl and Boy Scout Troop workshops, paint nights, venue rentals, and more, we invite you to see what is unfolding right in your backyard all year long. Visit our glorious arts center which houses a gallery showing both local and community artists year round. Needing a break during the week? Grab a picnic and a chair as we celebrate live music Wednesday, June 15th with The Miller Street Barn Band at 6:30 p.m. on our cozy amphitheater stage.

Create with us!
 
SiouxSanna Ramirez-Cruz
Director, Arts & Education and Laura's Center for the Arts
 
ON THE STAGE


Laura's Center for the Arts brought the magic of Road Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, Jr. to the mainstage this May. Curious and vibrant actors embodied the beautifully touching tale of a young boy who finds friendship in the most unlikely of places and with the most interesting...insects! Production Coordinator Bridget Collins designed and created the "Peach" which housed the musical insects within a nine foot tall circular fabric which sweetly made the cast appear and disappear magically.  

Directed by Tyler Cavanagh, music direction by Nicole Fantasia, and choreography by Donna Desmond, the real undertaking, and the real magic, occurred in the rehearsal studio process, with this stellar artistic team. Over 30 actors from towns around the South Shore came together to create, learn, grow, and mentor each other! With actors from Kingston, Hanover, Norwell, Rockland, Duxbury, Hanson, Scituate, Weymouth, Hingham, Abington, and Cohasset our net has continued to be cast even further! Congratulations to the cast of James and the Giant Peach, Jr!
IN THE GALLERY



Peg Desmond
North River - Boat Shed Reservation, Norwell
Watercolor
Kathleen Lauck
Seaweed
Watercolor

On Thursday, May 19th we warmly welcomed the opening of "Watercolors" curated by interns Victoria Collins and Neve Thompson featuring local artists Peg Desmond and Kathleen Lauck through July. This exceptional show captures the spirit of the South Shore through the eyes of these two local artists with distinct talents which also includes a collection of pieces in charcoal and pastels. Guest children's book author Pete Crowley gave a reading and book signing of his children's book JT Seavey.

Third Thursdays Gallery Openings at the LCA are free and open to the community. Find our listing on upcoming openings here!

IN THE STUDIO


Curious about our programming or are in need of an hour of delicious performances? Join us for our Spring Recital on Saturday, June 1
1th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Free and open to the community.

Family Prime Time is a free program for Y members! Led by Arts & Education faculty in our art studio, your family will become the artists from 12 noon - 4 p.m. each Saturday.
 
Every week, Family Prime Time offers participants a new opportunity to unleash their creativity in a project that you can take with you!


WITH OUR COMMUNITY

Norwell Public Schools in partnership with the Norwell Scholastic Arts Society marked the second annual Clipper Jazz Night Thursday, June 2. Incredible talent from both the Norwell Middle School Jazz Band and the Norwell High School Jazz Workshop & Ensemble filled Laura's Center with a kaleidoscopic repertoire.  Supporting live music under our roof is always a welcomed celebration especially when our up and coming local musicians take the spotlight.  



Join the Y as we host the first ever Youth Battle of the Bands at Hanover Day!  Visit Hanoverday.com for more details or click here!
 
SPOTLIGHT

This spring, we hosted three extraordinary arts-based students through our spring internship program: a gigantic thank you to Norwell High School students Neve Thompson and Victoria Collins, and John MacCormack from Hanover High School. 
From gallery curation, arts administration to 
design/technology for the theatre, devising lesson plans, leading activities at the Y's National Healthy Kids Day event, and more, these students
embraced and developed beautifully each moment at Laura's Center.
 


What are YOU creating this summer?

Culinary Arts | Creative Writing | Dance | Design/Technology 
Digital Media | Musical Theatre | Visual Arts
Create with us! Click here to register. 

South Shore YMCA | South Shore YMCA | 97 Mill Street | Hanover | MA | 02339