🔒Q&A: Fitchburg gallery brings out the talent in local artists

Located in Downtown Fitchburg, Gallery Marquee is a hub where artists can showcase their pieces, attend workshops, and network. The nonprofit is dedicated to creating an inclusive, creative platform, with a strong focus on supporting traditionally underrepresented artists.

How did Gallery Marquee form?

A group of artists from Fitchburg came together to form the nonprofit. Fitchburg State University played a major part by giving us the space we are in. We are not part of the university, but it owns the block we are on. It is great we are collaborating with them. Together, our goal is to create a community-based art gallery dedicated to showcasing the talent of local artists, not just in Fitchburg, but in surrounding areas of Central Massachusetts, including Worcester.

How does Gallery Marquee contribute to the local economy?

We contribute to the sales of local artists, which creates a financial ripple effect in the community. During our last show, we had guests arrive early. They walked to the local shops and ate at downtown restaurants. Our exhibitions bring tourists into the area who then get to see all Fitchburg has to offer, as they support small businesses.

We are a nonprofit and do not take commissions. When an artist sells a piece, they receive 100% of the sales earnings. We connect the artist with the buyer, but the artist gets to keep all the money, which hopefully gets reinvested back into the local economy.

How is Gallery Marquee playing a role in the revitalization of Fitchburg?

I was born in Stoneham and grew up in Fitchburg, so I have seen the ups and downs of the city. It has been great to see the revitalization taking place. For example, last summer there were all these festivals, new restaurants opened downtown, and visitors came into the area. Personally, it was the first time in a long time I spent the summer hanging out in Fitchburg because there was so much to do. Now, the library is being updated, and with the Gallery Marquee bringing in artists, it just seems to be a continuation of building culture and a thriving arts community.

How do you support artists from marginalized communities?

We give everyone a professional platform. We are open to all mediums and all skill levels from novice to professional. We are looking to do workshops, such as learning how to frame your work, how to build a portfolio, and what goes behind curating. Whether art classes or business training, we want to help artists grow. We want to give them the confidence to be able to show professionally and along the way position Gallery Marquee as an important hub in the growing arts and culture scene taking place throughout Central Massachusetts.

How is Gallery Marquee undoing the stereotypes associated with fine art?

Some artists get discouraged from joining art galleries because they think they are elitists or too far out of reach for them, but at Gallery Marquee you can be seen. Some people think galleries are intimidating, but there is so much talent out there. People should feel encouraged to share their art. Our board believes in giving people the opportunity and guidance they need to succeed. Our goal is to make a safe place where people can learn and feel comfortable to be creative.

What’s next?

I'm excited about our upcoming exhibitions such as our Water: Currents of Change starting on March 8, our spring/summer photography exhibition, my solo exhibition Ethereal Resistance: Women in Liminal Light, and another solo exhibition by Abby Williams in September. We have open calls for artists and are actively scouting for talent throughout Central Massachusetts.

We are a professional platform, but at the end of the day, art is fun. You do not need to be trained in the fine arts to be creative. We want artists to know they are welcome here and they can have fun showcasing their work.

This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by WBJ Correspondent Sloane M. Perron.