BERNARDSTON — After Nancy Moriarty of Greenfield retired from 40 years as a surgical technologist, she was looking for a way to relax, unwind and de-stress.
One evening while attending an adult coloring class at Cushman Library, Moriarty found her answer.
“I came in for coloring and was looking around and said (to Library Director Karen Stinchfield) , # left single quote
‘’’: Who does your boards?’” Moriarty said.
At that time early last summer, Stinchfield had been largely responsible for the creation of the colorful, temporary works of art.
“I always loved doing bulletin boards, but I don’t have a lot of time,” Stinchfied said, remembering how she would invite teachers to put up bulletin boards at the library that they had at school previously.
So Moriarty, Stinchfield said, took over the job with loads of enthusiasm, starting in July last year. Moriarty said the library, and her newfound role, are natural fits for her, providing a sort of cathartic release after decades of high-stress work.
“I fell in love with this place,” Moriarty said. “You know how you have a good feeling? I just loved it.”
Moriarty has some experience, having decorated the walls of the now defunct Holy Trinity School in Greenfield when her children were students there. Since connecting with Stinchfield at Cushman Library, she’s made 11 bulletin boards, for which ideas just seem to come naturally.
“Since I started them, anywhere I go … I’ll see something and go , # left single quote
‘’’: Aww, that’s cute,’” Moriarty said, such as a design on a paper plate or an item at the Hallmark store. “I have things tucked away for next year.”
Moriarty said she spends about 30 hours on each one, cutting out pieces at home before hanging them up in the library. Stinchfield said the engaging, welcoming pieces really complement the children’s room.
“It’s wonderful to have bright, engaging things on the wall,” Stinchfield said. “It brightens up the room.”
“People don’t think of it as art so much, but it really is,” Stinchfield continued. “It’s a temporary piece done in paper.”
You can reach Shelby Ashline at: sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257