PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Susan Dodge, the new director of the ArcWorks Community Art Center, sits beneath one of her paintings on exhibit at Breaking Grounds Cafe in downtown Peabody.
By LEAH DEARBORN
PEABODY — The new director of the ArcWorks Community Art Center is bringing an extra touch of color to the city.
Susan Dodge brings a bachelor’s degree in ceramics from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design to the position, as well as a background managing a wholesale pottery company.
She has taught private classes in her own studio and in Jamaican schools with a nonprofit called GreatShape!
“Arts and culture really builds cities,” said Dodge, who grew up in Marblehead and now lives in Salem. “Artists come, they make the culture happen, they bring other people in.”
ArcWorks is a part of Northeast Arc, a nonprofit organization located in a former post office on Foster Street that helps individuals with disabilities participate in the community.
Dodge said that in addition to a number of other new initiatives planned at ArcWorks, a ceramics studio is being readied in the downstairs for classes that will begin in February.
In a unified effort with Peabody Main Streets and the Peabody Cultural Collaborative, the organization is at work on building a black box theater.
Dodge said the production of a two-person play called “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney on Feb. 10 will be part of the ongoing fundraising efforts for the theater.
Breaking Grounds Cafe, which exhibits work by local artists and recently began hosting live musical performances, is a part of the ArcWorks network as well.
Dodge’s paintings are now on display at the cafe, which will exhibit the contributions of a number of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School students next.
Dodge said submissions open next week for “What’s Your Passion?,” a call for art from the community in any medium that will be exhibited at the center in February and March.
In the spring, pianos painted by area artists will be placed by ArcWorks in strategic locations around the city for the public to play.
“I’m really excited about the position,” said Dodge. “I really want to bring in the community for art and music and festivals. Everyone’s invited.”
Leah Dearborn can be reached at [email protected].