NCP's New Leadership Team, Fall Village Concerts Continue

Arts & Culture * Beautification * Service

Newton Community Pride Elects

New Leadership Team

At the NCP June Board of Director's meeting, by a unanimous vote, the Board selected Meryl Kessler—a long-time Board member, Treasurer, and Public Art Committee Chair—to succeed Gloria Gavris as Chair of the Board, effective January 1, 2024. Acting as Co-Chairs until January, Gavris and Kessler will work together to advance NCP's mission and strategic goals. Joining Kessler will be Randall Yee as Vice Chair, Dinny Starr as Treasurer, and Howard Sholkin as Clerk.

"I am delighted Meryl will be succeeding me as Chair of the Board of NCP. She is a nonprofit professional and arts advocate, and she is deeply passionate about the importance of public art and free programming to build community and fellowship in this city,” stated Gavris. "I have loved my time as NCP Chair and look forward to continuing on the Board of Directors, working with Meryl, and supporting her leadership and future growth of NCP,” added Gavris.

Gavris served as Chair from 2020-2023, leading NCP in partnership with a larger and more active Board of Directors to expand NCP's programming, create new citywide events and public art initiatives, and launch the Nancy Quint Schön Arts Scholarship and Community Micro Grant programs.

Meryl Kessler and Gloria Gavris in front of the 28 Austin St Mural in Newtonville.

NCP is also pleased to announce that three new Board members were elected to the Board of Directors at the end of last spring: Amy Dain, an independent consultant in public policy research and writing; Jim Simons, a total rewards consultant and active volunteer; and Janet Porcaro, a Newton Realtor® and content curator of OurNewto n.org. We look forward to their contributions to NCP and our community! For a full list of our Board of Directors see our website.

Fall Village Concert Series

Newton Community Pride's Fall Village Concert Series continues, offering free outdoor concerts open to all. The remaining concerts will be held in Newtonville and West Newton on September 17th and September 23rd. Make sure to keep your schedules free because you will not want to miss these talented performers. The events promise community, song, and music in Newton's beautiful outdoor spaces!

Celebrate Newton Merchandise

New to Newton or have a new neighbor? Missing someone who has left for college? Consider purchasing a piece of Newton with a Celebrate Newton Banner mug, tote-bag, or set of 8 greeting cards! These all make great gifts.

Click here to shop. Proceeds from the sale of these goods will benefit Newton Community Pride.

News from our Community Micro Grant Recipients

Newton Cultural Development

Halloween Window Painting

Registration is now open for the 24th annual Halloween Window Painting event on October 28. This event is open to Newton school children in grades 3-8 and is sponsored by the City of Newton's Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture's Office of Cultural Development. More information and sign up here. Registration deadline is October 15. Assignments announced by October 20.

NCP is proud to support the City of Newton’s Department of PR&C Office of Cultural Development with a Community Grant as its 2023 Great Pumpkin Sponsor.

***

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton will be hosting its 3rd annual Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Albermarle Field in Newton!

This celebration is a free, family-friendly, outdoor, indigenous-led, and volunteer-run event. There will be speakers, performances, cultural presentations and art demonstrations, local indigenous-owned businesses and non-profit organizations, activities for children, and delicious food!

More information on accessibility measures & volunteering can be found on the Indigenous Peoples Day Newton website.

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton is a 2023 NCP spring Community Micro Grant Recipient.

Support Our Impactful Programming

At Newton Community Pride we love what we do and hope you do, too! From citywide public art and free music festivals to tending to our award-winning gardens and supporting great ideas and events with micro grants and operational support, our small nonprofit couldn’t do any of it without your help. Please consider donating today to help us continue to bring arts, culture, beautification, and service to Newton.