By Janet Cornacchio
Lights! Cameras! And Easels! set the stage as the Scituate Arts Association partnered with Showcase Cinema on December 4 to celebrate art and the opening of the new Showcase de Lux Hanover Crossing Cinema. The event – “The Art of the Movies,” raised $10,000 for the SAA’s ongoing activities and mission in the community.
Showcase staff hosted the function, which included a sumptuous assortment of appetizers, crudities, cheeses, fresh fruits and complimentary cocktails and drinks. Front Street Gallery artists, SAA members, and local art and movie lovers mingled during the afternoon, enjoying the theater’s vibrant, state-of-the-art lobby and entertainment area.
Mark Malinowski, VP of Global Marketing for Showcase Cinemas (and a gallery artist) and SAA President Janet Cornacchio were co-presenters at the event.
“We were thrilled to open our theater with a celebration of movies and newly created local artwork that was inspired by classic films,” said Malinowski. “We’re happy to support the Scituate Arts Association and its beneficial work within the community. We share a love of art in all its forms.”
Cornacchio discussed the history of her association, which, among many other initiatives, hosts an annual high school Student Art Show at the Front Street Art Gallery, supports the Scituate Town Library Gallery, and stewards the historic Ellis House in Scituate, where the group is based.
“We auctioned off approximately 25 amazing works of art created by 18 South Shore artists at this unique event,” said Cornacchio. It was a great collaboration to promote the new theater and our artists.”
After the silent auction ended, guests were invited into the cinema’s darkened auditoriums with free popcorn and M&Ms for a showing of the Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s new memoir about his early life and passion for the movies.
“The seats in this theater are more comfortable than my sofa,” said attendee Marie Fricker of Scituate, who has been waiting for the Hanover theater to open since the pandemic. “And where, in these inflationary times, could you attend an event that includes an art show and auction, a movie on a huge screen, refreshments, a souvenir T-shirt, and a free framed print of Julie Andrews in her famous Sound of Music meadow scene? It was incredible!”
“The final tally on the fundraiser, including ticket sales, proceeds from the auction, and a substantial donation by Showcase Cinema was $10,000,” said Cornacchio. “This will be a great help towards our association’s ‘Arts Alive for 65’ mission in the coming year. What a great way to launch a theater!”
Front Street Art Gallery, a juried cooperative gallery of over twenty local artists and artisans, is located at 124 Front Street in Scituate Harbor. Gallery hours – Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 5 PM or by appointment. www.frontstreetartgallery.com
For more information on the Scituate Arts Association: www.scituateartsassociation.com
