The Revolving Museum’s Grand Opening of ARTventures sparked the new creative revolution in Lowell. Hundreds experienced the kick off of New England ’s Largest Public Art and Urban Revitalization Project.

Coinciding with the start of National Tourism Week, Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Deb Belanger and Cultural Organization of Lowell Director LZ Nunn were the Co-MCs for the night that featured inspired opening remarks by Lowell Mayor William Martin, City Manager Bernie Lynch, and Revolving Museum artistic director Jerry Beck.

A special cake made by Lowell High School with artwork and a drawing of the City of Lowell’s city seal that says “Art is the Handmaid of Human Good,” ceremony offered people the energy to experience four hour extravaganza that featured an interactive 100 foot dragon whose scales where crafted from CDs created by Jay Hungate in collaboration with resident artists of the Brush Art Gallery & Studios; a series of scintillating public artworks using thousands of synchronized light bulbs by Robert Harmon; an amazing art mobile designed and created by artists Nora Valdez and Persi Narvaez with assistance from YouthBuild staff and youth; a shimmering metallic “Fish Car” by William Turville; a beautiful collection of art lanterns, mill girl dresses, and carnival side-show banners made by local artists, and youth; a 20 foot high kinetic public art ferris-wheel, and more...

The crescendo of the evening included a video projection illuminating a historic smokestack that highlighted Lowell’s evolution from the industrial age to a new multi-ethnic artistic revolution. Participants included: Jason Salzarulo, Pete Pedulla, Karen Aqua, Jason Daniels, Jim Higgins, Joan Ross, Robert Haigh, Joe Nesbitt, Keith Wasserman, Mitch Rosenberg, and Eric Sack.

Throughout the night a performance program offered a powerful arrangement
of talent featuring Craig Standing Bear, Lion Dancers, a pow wow by United
Native American Cultural Center, music by the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
Band, dance programs by Angkor Dance Troupe and UTEC (United Teen
Equality Center) Step Dancers, Odaiko Japanese Drummers, Site-specific
performance artworks by UMASS Lowell English Department and fire twirling
by Fire Hazard. There was also a film by Matt Scott presented on a giant quilt
made by the New England Quilt Museum and other strange oddities and effects.

We are grateful to our many sponsors and contributors including:

Community Newspaper Company,Community Teamwork Inc., Hunt Alternative Fund, Lowell National Historical Park, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation, COOL/Destination World, Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Community Teamwork, Inc., Enterprise Bank, University of Massachusetts Lowell, John Hondorp and Mystic Scenic Studios, Inc., City of Lowell, Lowell Telecommunications Corporation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Mill City Properties, Cobblestones of Lowell, Lowell General Hospital, Trinity EMS, George and Carol Duncan, St Anne’s Episcopal Church, SMG/Tsongas Arena, Lowell Five, UMASS Green Chemistry, Lowell Festival Foundation, Lowell Public Schools, Tower Construction, Unwrapped Inc, New England’s Heritage Properties, Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center, Lowell Police Superior Officers Association, Marty Meehan Educational Fund, Yankee Clipper Council/Boy Scouts of America, Jericho Road, Littleton Lumber, The Edge Group, Puffin Foundation, Doug and Jennifer Ehler, Carolyn Walsh and Jack Moynihan, All Sports Promotions, Barbara Dunsford and Patrick Healey, Fred C. Church Insurance, IBPO Local 382, Lowell Police Department, Mill City Management, New England Medical Insurance Agency, LLC., John Marciano and Mill City Productions, Lowell High School Hospitality Academy, Lowell Downtown Business Association, Lowell Police Department, and theARTventures Committee: Barbara Dunsford, Sue Gladstone, Martha Howe, Beth Noel, Deb Belanger, LZ Nunn, Kelly Rys, Kit Harbison, Bill Bradley, Jay Hungate, James Errickson, and the many many more wonderful kids, volunteers and supporters.