Dartmouth Cultural Center's Upcoming Exhibits

The Dartmouth Cultural Center on Elm Street opens its doors this spring with a pair of exhibits on tap, plus a "live" performance that should have youngsters – and their parents – giggling for awhile.

Volunteers at the Center have been quite busy over the winter, securing more than $420,000 needed for renovations at their historic home, the old Southworth Library building that was constructed in 1889 and is one of the oldest buildings in Dartmouth.

President Pauline Santos and Tom Leverett, the Center's grant writer and handyman, joined Townsquare Sunday to discuss the renovation work and the spring schedule.

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"We have an architect, the plans are out, and hopefully, in the near future we can start Phase One of the project, which is making the building handicapped-accessible," Santos said.

Other work includes exterior restoration and interior work to include new heating and cooling equipment. Leverett expects bids will be going out later this year.

March 15 will see the opening of the Dartmouth AP Student Art exhibit, starting with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the exhibit continuing through the end of the month. The exhibit includes paintings, photographs, digital displays, and more.

"It's exciting," Santos said. "The students are so excited to see their work on display, and we are, too."

There is a special one-day program in March for young children. The Sylvia Family Puppet Show presents "The Laundry Monster" on March 23 from 11 a.m. to noon. The program is free, but people planning to go should call the Center at (508) 991-0484 to register, as space is limited.

A reception for "The Willoughby Elliott Retrospective" will be held on March 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the exhibit will run through April. Santos described the paintings as "beautiful."

The Dartmouth Cultural Center is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Visits are also available via appointment.

Townsquare Sunday is a community affairs program heard Sundays on WBSM.

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