Art2Heart's mission is to make art accessible across New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — Imagine if artists partnered with nonprofits or if every piece of art sitting unused in some basement were hung in a public space. That’s what Art2Heart is looking to do.

Modeled after Art Connection, a successful Boston-based program, Art2Heart’s mission is to make art accessible to people and to places that cannot afford to buy original art, said Noelle Foye, executive director of New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!.

“We want to build up a portfolio of people who want to donate and nonprofit organizations that want to have artwork in spaces used by the public,” Foye said at an open house Thursday.

Started five years ago, the program has helped bring art to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Child and Family Services and Ingraham Place.

“We want to continue and expand it,” Foye said.

The museum has collected pieces from local artists, collectors and estate sales, in mediums ranging from paint and fabric to photography and mixed media.

The artwork has to be donated and becomes the property of the nonprofit where it is installed. NBAM/ArtWorks! acts as facilitator to help a committee formed by the nonprofit choose and install the art. It is recommended the art comes framed, Foye said, because most of these organizations cannot afford the expense.

“We’ve often talked about having art, of course it would have to be sculpture,” said one of those in attendance, Thelma Baxter, board member of the Friends of Buttonwood Park.

Priscilla Ditchfield, a local resident who supports the museum, said she donated some artwork to the NorthStar Learning Center a few years ago —  “It’s a win-win.”

Foye said she is hoping to hear from interested artists and organizations in the city.

“Chances are, you know someone or know of a place. Put the word out and eventually it will be bigger.”