Wakefield Co-operative Bank’s newly redesigned 596 Main Street, Lynnfield branch has an updated, modern look and a creative spin on what it means to bring art to banking.
The bank recently renovated the 600 square-foot office across from Lynnfield Common, concluding its third retail construction and redesign project over the last three years.
“One of our main goals throughout the last few years has been to revive our customer-facing retail areas to better reflect who we are as a bank, our commitment to our customers and community, and truly encompass our tagline ‘Bringing life to banking’ in a visual way,” said Jeff Worth, President & CEO.
The Main Street branch, which has been home to Wakefield Co-op Bank since 1955, has showcased the work of Lynnfield Art Guild (LAG) artists for many years. Upon initiating the architectural and design plans for the branch renovation in early 2021, the employees and executive management team knew it was imperative the art guild be included in the new layout.
“We saw a wonderful opportunity to really highlight the artists of Lynnfield Art Guild in a more organized fashion,” stated Jennie Terry, Marketing Manager. “The art guild brings something very unique to the Lynnfield community, so we wanted to create a little nook to exhibit the beautiful talent of the artists in some way.”
With the help of Beth Aaronson of the LAG leadership team, an idea evolved to devote an entire interior wall to the guild. The wall is now equipped with a professional art gallery system to sustain the heavy, framed artwork in an eye-catching manner, displaying seven to eight paintings by the month’s featured artist.
Ms. Aaronson, A Lynnfield Art Guild Board Member for over twenty years, has been drawing and creating art her entire life, while also practicing law and raising three sons with her husband in Lynnfield.
She eventually found her favorite artistic expression in watercolor and has studied with local artists Bill Velmure, Fran Nola, Eileen Montbleau, and Pauline Bacon. Her beautiful watercolor paintings are the first to be hung in the bank’s official art gallery and are available for purchase until April 15th. Lynnfield Branch Manager, Bob Clattenburg, welcomes the public to stop by 596 Main Street to view Beth’s work. Hours are: M-W: 8:30-4:30; Th-Fri: 8:30-6; Sat 8:30-1.
“The art guild has appreciated the continuous support from Wakefield Co-operative Bank for as long as I can remember and the thoughtful manner in which LAG was incorporated into their redesign does not go unnoticed,” stated Aaronson. “We are so grateful to have the bank as a community partner.”
In addition to the gallery wall, the bank’s interior now features images of Lynnfield landmarks photographed by local artists, an open-concept customer service pod, coffee bar, and waiting area with a mesmerizing Sisyphus kinetic sand table. The Jeans Day program (where employees are encouraged to wear jeans to work and make a donation to a local charity) is highlighted at the pod area with real denim material and a running total of employees’ generous Jeans Day contributions since the program began in 2018, currently over $22,000.
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Wakefield Co-operative Bank (WCB) is a 130+ year old mutual institution headquartered in Wakefield, Massachusetts operating under a co-operative bank structure. Being a mutual means that it has no stockholders and issues no public offerings. Wakefield Co-operative Bank’s Main Office is located at 342 Main Street in Wakefield, MA and it has two other branch locations: 596 Main Street in Lynnfield, MA and 526 Main Street in Melrose. It is the bank’s mission to provide exceptional service and innovative products, with the vision of seeing every one of its customers achieve their personal financial goals and success. Learn more at wakefieldcoop.com.
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Lynnfield Art Guild (LAG) has been a force for the arts in the greater community for almost sixty years. The guild’s mission is to encourage and inspire an appreciation for and love of art. LAG provides a platform for painters, photographers, and artisans of all types to network, learn, and display and sell their work with two annual art shows, monthly art demonstrations, and member get-togethers.
Membership of Lynnfield Art Guild is open to artists of all levels in surrounding communities and student and family memberships available. The Lynnfield Art Guild is a non-profit organization and provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors. Additional information can be found at lynnfieldarts.org and on Instagram (@lynnfieldartguild) and Facebook (@Lynnfield Arts).
