Griffin Museum One of the 1,000 Places to See in Massachusetts

The non-profit Arthur Griffin Museum of Photography is perhaps Winchester's most hidden cultural gem. Located at 67 Shore Road (that little by-street/parking lot linking downtown to the High School) has been a world-renowned photographic institute for some 18 years and continues to grow inside of Winchester and beyond.

Founded by the esteemed photographer, Arthur Griffin, the museum hosts a number of gallery affairs, and in cooperation with local high schools, including Winchester, teaches in-house learning exercises and camps.

The Great Places in Massachusetts Commission also recently listed the museum as one of the 1,000 places to visit in Massachusetts. It was the only Winchester site that made the cut.

"It makes me feel good that all our hard work doesn't go unnoticed," said the museum director, Paula Tognarelli. "We want to generate interest among the public with the exhibitions and the camps. We've worked hard and it's nice to see it's paying off; that's why we do it. Being in arts the financial gain is minimal, so this definitely is nice recognition."

Currently, the Arthur Griffin just finished of one of its summer camps; two weeks featuring collage work being taught to high school and middle school students, which is wrapped up with an exhibit at the end of the two weeks. The final week of camp, the museum welcomed elementary school students working on the fundamentals of photography.

"Last year we had to cancel some of the camp because we didn't have enough students attending," said Catie Nasser, the camp's director. "This year we have a waiting list. They all seem to like it. The older kids are here all day for a full week and we give them an idea and they go and interpret it. And the younger kids, we're just giving them an introduction to art."

Aside from camp, the current show Griffin offered was based on an open call for all photographers worldwide in the Joerg show.

These photos, along with any other original material first published at the center, will be up for the Arthur Griffin Legacy Award – a $1,000 incentive for burgeoning artists. A second runner up will also receive a $500 dollar bonus for their work.

"We also show [the winner's] complete body of work on the website, so we can help out local and upcoming artists," said associate director Frances Jakubek. 

Added to this, there is the $1,000 Joan Johnson Scholarship for high school seniors from all over Winchester and the surrounding communities.

"Of the selections, I was almost more impressed with the children's show than the Joerg show," Jakubek said. "The kids work is out of this world. Reading and Winchester still have such beautiful darkrooms that are being put to good use."

Lastly, the Arthur Griffin is getting ready to host a gala where local photographers will be celebrated. They plan to combined this with The Focus Award, which highlights those involved in photography but not necessarily photographers.

This year, the museum is also going to give a life-time achievement to James Colton, a Sports Illustrated editor.

Even with all its fame, the Arthur Griffin is still a relative unknown in the town.

"They know us in China, but not in Winchester," Jakubek said. "Recently, 20 curators from all over the world were chosen to meet at a summit in China and [Tognarelli] was one of them."