In the mid-1990s, I lived in Ashburnham, on Lower Naukeag Lake, and I’ve always found it a fascinating town, mainly because it is so surprisingly multifaceted. It was quite a surprise to me to recently discover Creative Connections, a combination art gallery and gift shop, with the big surprise being the art on display and the beautiful galleries, right in the center of Ashburnham! Ashburnham is a classic, small (population 6,500), historic New England town located in the country, north of route 2 and Westminster, with whom it shares a school system. You’d really expect nothing much to be happening in Ashburnham, but there is actually quite a lot going on, academically, recreationally, and most surprisingly, culturally.
Ashburnham is the home of Cushing Academy, a private boarding school attended by students from around the world. Ashburnham is also home to one of the best piano museums in the entire United States, the Frederick Historical Piano Collection. Piano concerts, played on these historic pianos, took place in the Ashburnham Community Church, when I attended church there in the mid-1990s, and they still are played there, although the building itself is now known as the New Dawn Arts Center, Inc. a non-profit organization where many different arts related activities take place, as well as worship services on specific Sundays. The New Dawn Arts Center also has two art galleries featuring mainly local artists, and hosts other types of concerts–rock, punk, alt rock, and funk/the blues, plus workshops.
And, if you want to explore nature while you’re in Ashburnham, Mount Watatic, located in both Ashburnham and Ashby, is a beautiful, 1,800 ‘+ tall monadnock (an isolated mountain), with a rounded rock summit and quite a view. The Mount Watatic Reservation is the formal name for this area, and from their website: “Mount Watatic is one of the most visited mountains in central Massachusetts because its bald summit gives 360-degree panoramic views: to the east, the Boston skyline, to the south, Mount Wachusett, to the west, Mount Monadnock and to the north, the Wapack Range. The landscape is diverse with open ski slopes and rock outcroppings in various stages of succession, and remnants of old growth along steep forested slopes.” –Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
It’s not a long hike up, but it’s a steep hike, as I found out a few years ago, hiking up with two of my sons. The view is tremendous but be sure to wear good hiking boots.
And if, like me, you don’t want to necessarily climb a mountain, there are the lakes (seven lakes, and thirteen ponds over five acres in size). The main lakes are Upper Naukeag Lake and Lower Naukeag Lake, as well as Sunset Lake, and Lake Winnekeag. Upper Naukeag Lake is a reservoir, so although it’s beautiful, activities are limited, but Lower Naukeag Lake and Sunset Lake are great for boating and fishing. Lower Naukeg in particular has plenty of bass and pickerel, as well as sunnies galore.
What makes this shop unique is that although much of the art on display is by local artisans, the second floor is often devoted to artists whose work is regionally or even nationally known, and is displayed accordingly, in well lit, spacious galleries, which are themselves works of art. It’s like a mini trip to Boston’s MFA, with no admission fee (although you might want to buy something from the gift shop).
Foot traffic getting into Creative Connections is slightly challenging at the moment, since the town of Ashburnham is in the process of putting in sidewalks, but they aren’t in yet. However, if you drive around the back there is plenty of room to park, and you can just walk right in.
These large art galleries allow for displaying a wide range of artwork, from an even wider range of artists, both local or known throughout the New England region (or both). For instance, Artscope Magazine, one of the foremost cultural magazines in New England, just featured works by the artist Jennifer Okumura on their first page. Her work is on display in multiple galleries in Boston, but also right here in Ashburnham, at Creative Connections! There is a beautiful display of her work in a large second floor gallery. Below are some photos taken inside the store by a very unskilled photographer (me and my iPhone). More professional level photos are on their website.
However, it’s not just famous artists who can display their art here. Local artisans also sell and display their art at Creative Connections, and in fact the Oakmont Alumni Art Exhibition is coming up soon (details to follow). This art will be displayed at three different sites, including both Creative Connections and New Dawn Arts Center.
Because of the proximity to Cushing Academy, there are a few hotels nearby, including the Colonial Hotel, which is reasonably priced. well run, and about five miles away. If you prefer a more local experience, The Maguire House is a stunning bed and breakfast built in 1764, and located in Ashburnham on 40 plus acres.
What this all means is that, as unusual as it seems for such a small town, Ashburnham is a great place to spend an afternoon (or even an evening or weekend) in the country in central Massachusetts. You can eat lunch at the local restaurant, The Tavern on Central, or order sushi from Yaka Sawa Sushi and Grill; browse the galleries, particularly at Creative Connections, seeing the same artist’s works you might find in Boston; and see grand pianos from Europe that still play perfectly (check the hours of operation), hike a mountain, and even catch a bass if you are so inclined and have a fishing license. How’s that for an eclectic afternoon!
Establishments like Creative Connections, The New Dawn Arts Center, and even Ashburnham Wine & Spirits (where besides wine and beer, you can buy ice cream, sandwiches, muffins, and a cup of coffee) are vital to making towns like Ashburnham great places to live. So when you have a choice, support local. When you need a bag of coffee, consider buying Dean’s Beans at Creative Connections rather than Starbucks at Hannaford or Market Basket. It’s great coffee, and since you are already there, you don’t have to drive to a supermarket.
Creative Connections, owned and operated by Mark and Angie Setevdemio, is located at 56 Main Street in Ashburnham, in a dark gray, unassuming three story building that’s been beautifully restored. The first floor contains artwork for sale, but is also a gift shop, with cards, coffee, pottery, books, glasswork, personal care items, unusual gifts and plenty more. Stop in and see what’s available or check their website and follow them on social media: Facebook and Instagram. Creative Connections also features workshops, art classes, and framing. If you stop in, say hi to Mark and Angie, and tell them you read about it in this newsletter.