Monserrat program spreads art to public places

The original Art Connection in Boston, conceived by artist Fay Chandler in 1995, has donated more than 4,900 works to more than 300 nonprofit agencies.

Building on and maintaining that momentum, Montserrat has opened a branch program locally. The project was spearheaded by Henrietta Gates, a trustee of the college.

Over the summer, art was chosen and installed in the Beverly Hospital cafeteria. An unveiling was held last month.

“It was a great experience installing the work and improving the aesthetic experience of being in the hospital,’’ said Maggie Cavallo, assistant curator of education at Montserrat. “It’s amazing what can happen when you enrich blank walls with original works of art.’’

Eleven works were chosen from 150 for the installation, including four pieces by Chandler; a series of photographs by recent Montserrat graduate Cecelia Pettigrew; a drawing by senior Georgia Bolender; and works by guest artists.

Artists or collectors interested in donating work or suggesting an appropriate venue should contact Cavallo at maggie.cavallo@montserrat.edu. For more information, visit www.montserrat.edu.

IT ALL ADDS UP: Gathering Change, a charitable organization that collects spare change from homes, schools, churches, and businesses to donate to local food pantries and social services programs, holds its third annual meeting Wednesday in Lynnfield.

The meeting highlights the past year and celebrates the group’s many volunteers. The meeting highlights the past year and celebrates the group’s many volunteers. Kerry DeSimone, a recipient of the Dare to Begin program at the North Reading Food Pantry, shares her personal experiences.

By encouraging people to collect and donate their extra change, the organization has raised $85,000 since 2008 and has made donations to 40 food pantries in Massachusetts. Approximately 40 towns have benefited from donations by their neighbors.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Lynnfield Meeting House, 617 Main St. Call 781-334-6773 or e-mail chanshaw@gatheringchangeinc.org. For general information, visit www.gatheringchangeinc.org.