Celebration of the Arts Readies for Third Year

Two years ago, when John McLaughlin Jr. spoke at the first annual Celebrate the Arts festival, an event showcasing the talent of students, he said he hoped it would become the hallmark event of the Victoria McLaughlin Foundation, a non-profit he founded in 2008 with his wife, Patricia, in memory of their infant daughter, who had died from bacterial meningitis in 2003.

McLaughlin's wishes have come true. Attendance at this year’s show, to be held Thursday, April 14 at the (MVMMS), is expected to draw about 700, two-thirds the number that showed up for the debut show in 2009, making it a go-to arts event in a city already well known as a vibrant suburban arts center.

Combining the 2011 Melrose Public School Annual Art Exhibit with the Celebrate the Arts evening line-up, the session begins with exhibits of artwork by students K-12 and ends with performances by orchestra, jazz band, string quartet, and honors chorus. Admission is free, and visitors will have a chance to sponsor a book for the Victoria McLaughlin Library, place bids in a silent auction, and make donations to the Foundation.

 “We try to make this an event no one wants to miss,” McLaughlin said, noting that, over the years, the festival has become as much a social event as a talent showcase.  “People have a chance to hear some music, buy a raffle ticket, see what their own kids are doing and what their neighbors’ kids are doing, and have a great night out.”

Last year, said McLaughlin, many of the 600 attendees milled about long after the event was over. “Everyone left with smiles on their faces.”

'We wanted to do more'

Celebration of the Arts had its roots in the schools. When the Victoria McLaughlin Foundation was first created, efforts focused on raising money to support the middle school and high school libraries and funding after-school programs. But it wasn’t enough.

“We wanted to do more," said McLaughlin. One way was to help widen the options for children in grades 6, 7, and 8. “Sixth graders were left out of the elementary programs, and the eighth graders couldn’t join freshman activities up at the high school.”

So McLaughlin reached out to the many Melrosians involved in the schools, , library system and other groups for help and ideas. For example, the Foundation worked with the school system to ensure facilities were available. It funded a ballroom dancing club; a ; the student newspaper; an after-school art program; and a /LEGO club, for children interested in building robots and entering them in competitions. 

Today, more than 350 middle-school students participate in activities ranging from arts to athletics, with about 100 students involved in programs entirely funded by the Foundation. Children are not the only beneficiaries: their budget burdens lightened, the teachers can concentrate on teaching, the coaches on coaching, the dance instructors on dancing. 

Over the years, the festival has created new networks within the city, McLaughlin their galvanizing force.

“John created ties between the community and the schools, involving people who might not otherwise be involved in these programs,” said Meredith McGowan, who teaches art at the and schools.

“From the start,” McLaughlin said, “our goal was to create a richer environment for the Melrose public school student—to recognize their achievements, offer them financial support, and to build upon a strong artistic and cultural tradition within the city.”

It's another wish come true.