Today, it was announced that the Rialto is being transformed into the Center for Creativity at the Rialto -- an exciting new beginning for our community, downtown, and this treasured Westfield icon.

Thanks to a group of committed residents who formed the Westfield Arts Collective and took a risk purchasing the historic building, its transformation will now be the anchor of a new arts district and an economic growth engine for downtown.

For the past four years, we’ve laid the groundwork for Westfield to become a regional arts destination by introducing AddamsFest, forming a Public Arts Commission, and passing an ordinance to allow maker’s spaces downtown. This has culminated in today’s exciting announcement and partnership with the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation, which will underwrite many of the future artists and exhibits at the #RialtoReimagined. 

The full press release from the Center For Creativity at the Rialto follows below.

What an exciting time for Westfield!


-- Mayor Shelley Brindle 

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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CENTER FOR CREATIVITY AT THE RIALTO

For Immediate Release 
October 25, 2021 
    


 
A newly-formed New Jersey non-profit organization, the Westfield Arts Collective, announced today that it has signed an agreement to purchase the Rialto building in downtown Westfield.

The announcement comes ahead of the closing weekend of Complements, an art exhibit being presented in the newly renovated lobby of the Rialto. The exhibit features original Charles Addams art alongside art from multimedia artist Suzanne Heilmann.

“We are excited that so many people have stopped by the Rialto to see the exhibit, with many expressing interest in the building’s future,” said Beth Cassie, President of the Westfield Arts Collective. “We are proud to announce the Center for Creativity at the Rialto, a community gathering space for creating, experiencing, and enjoying art in many forms. Our vision is to build a creative hub in downtown Westfield where makers, artists, actors, writers, and musicians of all ages and experience can connect, create, learn, and build community. Westfield is a town of artists, and preserving the iconic Rialto is the best way to ensure that the arts have a permanent place to thrive in our community.”

The Tee and Charles Addams Foundation (https://charlesaddams.com) has generously provided initial seed capital for this effort and has committed to underwriting future art endeavors, with the intention of eventually endowing the Center with Addams works and funding in perpetuity.

“It has brought the Foundation such joy to witness how this community has embraced AddamsFest, annually celebrating the life and work of Charles Addams including not only the iconic and timeless Addams Family, but also his classic work as an artist, New Yorker cartoonist, and as a fixture in the prominent New York social circles of the 1960’s,” said Kevin Miserocchi, Executive Director of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation. “We’re thrilled that Charlie will return to the hometown that inspired his work and that his legacy will live on through the many artists that will benefit from the Center for Creativity at the Rialto.”

“We are also thankful to the current owners of the building, Jesse and Doreen Sayegh, who have been true partners in the negotiation of this purchase,” added Cassie. “None of this would have been possible without their generosity and shared vision to retain this historic building and keep the arts alive in Westfield.”

The initial phase of the project includes renovating the lobby and restoring one large theater. The lobby will host small gatherings, including author and poetry readings. Once restored, the main floor theater will be made available for film screenings, live performances, and other programs and presentations.

Subsequent phases will include planning for the additional five theaters and office space and will involve gathering public input.

“There is still much work to be done, but we’re thrilled to have started with the lobby, which will remain available as a rotating gallery,” said Westfield Arts Collective board member Margaret Smith. “We’ll begin rolling out our vision for a re-imagined Rialto over the next few months, and we are excited to invite the Westfield community to learn more and get involved.”

John Rzeznik, Westfield resident and guitarist and frontman of the Goo Goo Dolls, announced his support for the project.

“As a Westfield local, it is an honor to be working with my fellow residents to bring a permanent home for the arts to Westfield,” said Rzeznik. “I have offered my name and platform to raise money for this very cool project and hope others will do the same.”

“I congratulate the Westfield Arts Collective on this historic accomplishment and thank the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation and current Rialto owner Jesse Sayegh for being strong community partners in this bold and imaginative effort,” said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. “This effort brings us a giant step closer to our goal of making Westfield a regional destination for arts and culture.”

“The vision for AddamsFest, which included annual exhibits of Charles Addams work, was to honor a local celebrity and infuse the arts into Westfield’s culture,” said Westfield Councilwoman Dawn Mackey, Chairperson of AddamsFest. “I’m so happy that AddamsFest could be the catalyst for the relationship with the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation which ultimately led to this project.”

The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting for the Center for Creativity at the Rialto on Thursday, October 28, at 5:00 pm.

Those wishing to learn more about the Rialto Reimagined effort and to get involved can visit www.centerforcreativity.art, follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CenterforCreativityatRialto), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centerforcreativity_rialto/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CenterRialto), or contact Beth Cassie at westfieldartscollective@gmail.com for more information, naming right inquiries, and donation instructions.