Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
MALDEN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Malden Public Library has a lot more to offer than just a quiet place to read or study, it's also home to a large collection of art.
For more than a century, the Malden Public Library has been home to the Converse Art Galleries, which were made possible by a donation from the Converse family back in 1885. That donation allowed the library to acquire quite a collection of art from all over the world.
The library's collection features art ranging from paintings by Dutch masters from the 1600s to local artist Frank Stella. Malden Public Library Dora St. Martin said Stella had a special connection to the library.
"Stella grew up in Malden and his mother used to take him to the library for storytime and art classes," St. Martin said. "We actually have three wonderful works by [him] representing his 70s and 80s period."
St. Martin said she believes the library's art collection is a hidden gem.
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"It's always fun to see people's reaction to the collection," St. Martin said. "When you come in a room and you see an original by Frank Stella in your own hometown, your knees buckle a little."
The galleries are open during local history hours on Monday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m.
WBZ's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.
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