Arts & Entertainment
Zullo Gallery About $175K Shy of Completing Renovation Project
Medfield's gallery renovation plans include a café and community gathering space.
The needs approximately $175,000 to finish its renovation project that will include a new entrance, a kitchen and a café that will help generate money to sustain the gallery.
“The plan is to open a café, a community gathering space, and we would subcontract that out during the week, and on the weekends we would turn back into a pure gallery space,” said gallery Director Bill Pope, noting it is a way to generate a steady income stream for the business run mostly by volunteers.
The Zullo Gallery opened in 1988 when members, including Pope, of the then-Medfield Arts Council (now the Medfield Cultural Council) thought a space was needed to highlight local artists. They secured the space at 456A Main St. (in the De Vasto Building) and the Zullo Gallery was born.
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“We were able to secure the space from ‘Mrs. Zullo’ and thought the name was unique,” said Pope. “Plus, we thought that, if we couldn’t pay the rent, Mrs. Zullo wouldn’t kick us out.”
Not only have they paid their rent, they have also renovated and improved their space over the years – slowly but surely.
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“This is an old building in an old part of town and it’s very difficult for us to get to code; it makes it a much longer process,” said Pope. The gallery’s current lease runs through 2022. “We hope to be here a long time.”
The gallery can seat 60 people inside with another 30 people on the rooftop deck that was completed in 2005 due, in large part, to a sizeable donation from Needham Bank.
“In the summertime, the deck is a beautiful space,” said Pope, noting the last few summers the gallery has been open a few weeknights for people to enjoy the deck. “It’s just a great spot to have.”
With continued fundraising from exhibits, concerts and monetary donations made payable to the non-profit organization, the hope is to complete the renovations, open the café, and be open to the public seven days a week, said Pope.
Until then, patrons can enjoy the gallery’s current exhibit, "Expressions" (featuring art created by members of the Monotype Guild of America) on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit the gallery's website, or e-mail art@zullogallery.org, or call (508) 359-3711.
Monetary donations for the renovation project can be mailed to the Zullo Gallery, 456A Main Street, Medfield, MA 02052.
