Taunton has a new place to go: its own premier arts studio, "Art Euphoric". The studio is located in a building of historical importance, 417 Winthrop St. (Route 44; next to the Westville Congregational Church). In its 200 plus years, the building has been the District No. 9 Schoolhouse and later, the Westville Firehouse Hose No. 6.
In 1914, the building retired from firefighting and has been a succession of small businesses interspersed with vacancies. The City of Taunton gave ownership of the building to the Westville Congregational Church some thirty years ago. After watching the building lying dormant for almost a decade, Leah Chaplin decided to approach the Church with her ideas of renovating the building and establishing an arts studio in Taunton.
After several years of soliciting donations and exhaustive basic manual labor, the building is alive once again as it is reborn into yet another life full of a stimulating myriad of colors and textures.
Art Euphoric is the dream-come-true of Leah Chaplin. Her goal is to be a host to local artists of diversified talents; allowing them the opportunity to display and sell their original creations.
These local original works vary from mesmerizing sculptures and pottery, fabulous hand-made jewelry, hand-knit Irish shawls and sweaters, note cards worthy of being framed, and more. Paintings of every type, style, subject, and size cover most free wall space and several abstracts bejewel the ceiling.
All of these pieces of art, be it a piece of pottery, a gemstone bracelet, or an original oil painting, are all of Boston quality without the Newbury St. prices. You can actually afford to bring something home to enjoy or to give as a gift.
Besides being Art Euphoric's proprietor, Leah is an accomplished potter creating functional and beautiful art in clay. As a sculptor, Leah's work displays a trained artist's originality and passion. Concentrating in Clay and Painting, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bridgewater State College in 1986.
Art Euphoric, Taunton's premier arts studio is located at 417 Winthrop St. (Route 44, next door to the Westville Congregational Church).
Artists are always welcome to stop by the studio or to call Leah Chaplin, cell 508-813-7371, for information.