Old post office turned arts center could boost village

Spearheaded by Kelley Corson, Natalie Fream, and four other members of a volunteer board, the nonprofit group wants to turn the building into an arts center, with everything from classes for kids to gallery displays of local artists’ work.

“It would be such an ideal thing for the community,’’ said Corson, a mother of two and president of the board. “Kids can walk from the elementary school; we can do programs for the seniors who go to the library. . . . We want to help keep that sense of a village that’s alive.’’

Main Street got the overwhelming support of townspeople on a March ballot, and won planning approval after ironing out issues such as parking. The group and the town were scheduled to sign a lease Tuesday night.

“It’s very exciting to have this finished,’’ said Selectman Wes Moore. “All three selectmen support the project. It’s a great use of a building that was otherwise going unused.’’

He likened it to the nearby Newfields Country Store, which he said faced a questionable future this year but now appears safe. Without the store, he said, “then Newfields becomes a place you just drive through to get home or to get to Exeter or to get to Newmarket. Country store people actually stop and buy stuff and hang out and see friends and neighbors, and I think the MSA does the same thing. It gives people another reason to actually stop in the village and do something.’’

Said Planning Board chairman and 12th-generation resident John Hayden: “It’s nice to see something happening with the building rather than see it sit vacant. And I think what Kelley and her crew are doing certainly has some benefit to the community, no question.’’

The five-year lease deal includes Main Street Art’s making substantial renovations to bring the building up to code for its new use, including handicapped accessibility and work on the wiring and plumbing. (The post office had leased the building from a private owner, who sold it to the town after the move in 2005.)

With $30,000 of work to do, Main Street is holding a fund-raiser Saturday at Shooters Sport Pub in Exeter. That’s the night they’ll announce the winner of a $10,000 raffle, and there are silent auctions and other activities.

“From what I’ve heard, it will be a valuable enrichment opportunity for students here in Newfields and the surrounding towns, for after school and weekends and holidays,’’ said Dennis Dobe, principal at Newfields Elementary School. “Maybe we can do some field trips over there.’’

In addition to the six-member board, the organization has about 60 followers “who we keep posted and can grab and ask for help,’’ said Corson.

Among them is Fream’s husband, Win, a designer who created the group’s logo and drawings depicting the results of the planned renovation. The couple and their three children live up the street from the old post office.

Kelley “was more on the art thing, and I was definitely more living downtown across from the building, this building the town bought, and it’s sitting there going into disrepair,’’ said Fream.

Main Street Art has been holding classes at Moonshine Gallery in neighboring Newmarket, which is not a big moneymaker but helps them “feel out what people want,’’ Corson said.

“When we’re actually in that space and it’s up and running, we’re going to be pretty well seasoned,’’ said Fream, adding with a laugh, “We hope.’’

For more information: visit www.newfieldsart.org or call 603-321-7305.