As we prepare for our move to the Printers Building, we look back on the history of the building that ArtsWorcester has called its home for the past twenty years: The Aurora. Read about ArtsWorcester’s move to the Aurora and the neighbors we are sad to leave behind in Part Two of Looking Back at the Aurora.
In addition to the rejuvenation of the Aurora building, recent years have been filled with developments in the surrounding area. The successes of independent businesses have increased local artistic and cultural activity. Across the street from the Aurora Gallery, Creative Hub Worcester and Main IDEA have partnered to create a summer arts programs for the youth of Worcester’s Main South Neighborhood. Main IDEA works with Clark University down the street to put on other arts programs throughout the fall as well. Creative Hub is also working towards transforming the former Ionic Avenue Boys Club into a space for art programming and artists’ studios.
This post is the second of two recounting the history of the Aurora. Read Part One here. Our series continues next week as we look to ArtsWorcester’s future in the Printers Building.
This post is part of a series written and researched by Alice Dillon, ArtsWorcester Program Staff.
Above images: The Aurora Lobby before renovation, The Evening Gazette, 1985; Ruth A. Penka, former Executive Director of Arts Worcester (Right) at the Aurora Gallery, Telegram and Gazette, 2000; A Matter of Perspective, 2018