In the early to mid 1980s the greater Boston area was undergoing significant changes in real estate development. Old warehouses and manufacturing buildings in out-of-the-way parts of the city and surrounding areas, that had been home and refuge to local artists, were being targeted as attractive sites for renovation and development. As a result, many local artists were facing eviction from established studio spaces that they had created and long occupied.
In 1984, two artists, Gina Fiedel and Judy Haberl, learned from David Brown, then chairman of the Newton Arts Center, of a surplus elementary school building in Newtonville. They began a long campaign to acquire the building and develop it for artist studios and living spaces. Other artists soon joined the project, including three members of the Waltham Mills Artists Association: Roberta Paul, Scattergood-Moore and Wendy Seller. David Brown, Josephine Simon, director of the Newton Arts Center, and Christine Temin, art critic for the Boston Globe, were crucial supports to the artists in these early years. Resources were obtained with a grant from the Massachusetts Council for the Arts to retain a consultant, Jero Nesson, with experience in the development of artists housing (among his successes were the artist cooperative buildings at 249 A Street in Boston's Fort Point Channel area and The Brickbottom Artists Building in Somerville) to provide early guidance on the project.
After more than a year of work, including development on an architectural proposal for the site, establishing relationships with neighborhood committees and attending meeting of the Newton Board of Alderman, the Newton Artists Housing Partnership was selected from several proposals as the best use of the former Claflin Elementary School. Construction began in 1986 to create fourteen live/work units for artists, and three units for low-imcome housing. The building was renamed Claflin School Studios and established as a condominium. The artists and their families began moving into their studios and living space, which they had individually designed and constructed, during the spring of 1988.
The original artist members were: Doug Anderson, Michael Beatty, Gerry Bergstein, Kent Boyer, Gina Fiedel, Robin Grebe, Judy Haberl, Ralph Helmick, Will Howcroft, Bob Lewis, Jod Lourie, Louise Marshall, Michael Newby, Marlene Oliver, Roberta Paul, Wellington and Patricia Reiter, Scattergood-Moore, Wendy Seller, and Harvey Low Simons.
Adapted by Scattergood-Moore from articles by Keith N. Cohen and Christine Temin.
Currently, 9 of the original 20 artists continue to reside and work at Claflin School Studios.
Remove Millennium Park changes and restore the area to 1932 appearance including original parking area.
Remove non�historic features in south lawn area and restore to 1932 appearance.
The Salvatore A. Balsamo Millennium Park, Newton, MA, is located south of city hall, visible from Homer Street and near the driveway entrance from that road. The best place to park may be the parking lot for the Newton Free Library across the street.
The park is a smaller portion of the grounds surrounding Newton City Hall and War Memorial. In the area is a brick wall with the name, Salvatore A. Balsamo Millennium Park. Along the same wall are other plaques with names of people who were on the Board of Directors or donors through the Newton2000. There are also small trees in front. Along a parking area is a walkway with stones engraved with names and sayings.
a short history of the Claflin School Studios along with short biographical sketches of the following artists: Doug Anderson, Michael Beatty, Gerry Bergstein, Kent M. Boyer, Robin Grebe, Ralph Helmick, Will Howcroft, Bob Lewis, G.A. Scattergood-Moore, Marlene Oliver, Roberta Paul, Wellington Reiter, Wendy Seller and Harvey Low Simons. Also included are a selection of artworks by each artist.
For condominium trustees and management, the lesson is a bit tougher. While you don't want to put up with a lot of over-the-top "crap" from unit owners, think twice about starting World War III litigation like this case. The only person in this dispute who made out well is the condo board attorney, as this dispute easily ran over $25,000 in legal fees through a trial and an appeal. Was that a solid investment of condo funds by the board? Over dog poop? Probably not.
" 'Buying a condo is a very serious business. People put up a lot of money without their eyes being wide open. . ." said Alan Slawsby of Wellesely. . . He advises buyers to have the home inspected and get as much financial information as possible. 'Obtain copies of minutes of board meetings, going back a year or possibly two. Make every possible inquiry as to the history of the building and the people who live there, and the neighbors of your unit in particular - people never ask to meet the neighbors - and don't rely on real estate brokers or their inspectors. And have your own attorney represent you and not the bank's attorney. . .' "
". . . As a real estate lawyer, Shauna Rives knows an owner's rights are spelled out in the condo documents. So when the 35-year-old wife and mother of two bought into a South End building three years ago, she had it written into the documents that she could leave her heavy two-seat stroller in the downstairs hallway instead of having to lug it to the top floor. When the childless couple on the first floor objected, 'we told them to look at the condo documents. We tried to resolve it in the nicest way possible, knowing we had to live with these people. But it was really stressful for them and us because you're sharing such close quarters. . .'"
after her experience with "two good neighbors and one nightmare."
if you're unwilling to be a cooperative/contributing member & pleasant neighbor.
Music by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, etc..
Description: Trip to Studio 13 at Claflin School Studios, with special appearance by The Studio Cat.
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