Fifty years ago, Marion Mack Johnson was the driving force behind creating a community center in Jaffrey. Johnson hoped to foster educational and artistic purposes through the center, enriching the quality of life in the town where she’d grown up.
Fifty years later, the Jaffrey Civic Center is still going strong, with the help of a new executive director, a tireless board — and Johnson’s great-granddaughter, Amelia.
“This is a big year for us,” said Regina Vorce, who took over as executive director last fall. Vorce’s vision for the future of JCC is three-pronged: make it accessible for everyone, make it a “destination” for the community, and make it known that the little brick building is more than just an art gallery.
“We do have these three great art galleries here,” Vorce said, “but we’re supposed to be a civic center, where people can come and get involved in things.”
Those things include adult education and art classes, room and office space, the Jaffrey Historical Society’s display rooms, and a library where “anyone can come in and read the newspaper or read a book,” Vorce said.
The next big event at the JCC is Sunday’s Upstairs/Downstairs fundraiser, featuring a concert by pianist Virginia Eskin and guest performances by JRMS students, a book signing by Joseph Steinfeld, and a cello performance by Sarah Freiberg. Freiberg will accompany a lecture on artistic inspirations by some featured pastel artists. And, there’s an Off The Wall! art sale, plus appetizers, wine and desserts.
Tickets are $40 per person in advance, and $45 at the door. Reservation is encouraged as space is limited. For tickets, contact 532-6527 or info@jaffreyciviccenter.com.
In July, the center will host its 50th anniversary celebration and the 10th annual Night of 1,000 Cupcakes — something Amelia Johnson is excited about. A seventh-grader at JGS, Amelia is a budding artist, and she’s been helping out at the Civic Center a lot over the past year. Amelia said she’s glad to be carrying on her great-grandmother’s legacy.
“I think it’s really important,” Amelia said, “because art is a big part of culture, and it’s something that lost today with pictures and electronic screens. I think it’s really important to have art in our town … For the past 50 years, we’ve have the Civic Center, where artists can show their work and take classes.”
Amelia never met Marion Mack Johnson, but given her family’s artistic inclinations, it’s safe to say some of her spirit has been passed along.
“I still feel like I kind of did know her, because everyone always tells me what she was like,” Amelia said. “Through the Civic Center, that’s a way I can kind of get to know her, even though I never met her.”
Arts Editor Ben Conant can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 226 or bconant@ledgertranscript.com.