Meet the Board Vice President: Margaret Smith

This month, we interviewed the Vice President of the Board of Trustees, Margaret Smith. Margaret is a teaching artist and certified therapeutics arts facilitator. As Chair of the Westfield Public Arts Commission, Margaret has a long-standing expertise on the power of arts, culture, and creativity. Read her interview below to hear how she thinks the Rialto’s next chapter is poised to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of Westfield’s community.

What is your connection to Westfield? 

I’m a long-time resident. I’ve lived in Westfield for 25 years, raised four children here, and am deeply involved in volunteer work in the town and local community.

Do you have any favorite memories of the Rialto?
I have many fond memories of the tiny birthday party room. But my absolute favorite memories are from the last 7 years. Creating the Rialto Sidewalk Gallery and curating and installing our monthly exhibits has been super enjoyable for me.

Can you share a little about your career? 

First and foremost, I’m an artist. I’ve been an arts advocate my whole career, and have worked as an art teacher and therapeutic arts facilitator for many years.

Tell us about your volunteer work.

I sit on many nonprofit boards for different art organizations, like the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Advisory Council, the Morris Museum, and the Curatorial Committee at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. I’ve also been on the Westfield Public Arts Commission since its inception 5 years ago. In addition to those roles, I also volunteer as an Imagine facilitator, a CASA volunteer, and a volunteer art therapy teacher at St. Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth. And, of course, I’m a founding member of the Rialto board.

How did you get involved in the Rialto? 

About seven years ago, there was a group of four local resident artists that came together with the vision of saving the Rialto and starting a creative space in town. That was the very beginning of this amazing story and incredible vision. As a long-time resident of the town and a fervent supporter of the arts, creativity, and non-profit institutions, I knew I had to get involved. Being a part of this project has been a true labor of love, and I’m grateful to lend my expertise to the board as the Vice President.

Why do you think having a space for creativity is important?

Creativity is important for everyone at all ages. It builds character, helps with problem solving skills, builds self confidence, and helps relieve stress and anxiety. It helps young children develop into their best selves, and helps keep adults engaged and sharp. 

Our modern technological world can create isolation at every age. When people get together and share creativity, community building follows. The community aspect of our space is just as important as the creativity aspect. People of all life stages need community—it helps us grow as individuals, develop social skills, stay connected to our neighbors, and increase longevity and health.

What are you most excited about when the Rialto opens?

I’m excited for the community to have a contemporary artistic and creative space, one where everyone feels welcome to enjoy the arts, whether by learning something new or experiencing professional creative exhibits and performances. Each day, young creatives will be creating, experimenting, and discovering the joy of expression. Everyone will enter a space designed to inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection. That’s not something we have available right now, and I can’t wait to see the Rialto fill that need.

Why does Westfield need a space like the Rialto Center for Creativity?

Like I mentioned, we need it because we don’t have it. Once it’s complete, the Rialto will be a destination for anyone at any age to come and feel inspired by creativity and imagination. Young people and children will have opportunities to learn and experience creativity in a way that is not currently available in our town. Adults will have a new space to explore their imaginations, build new friendships, and enjoy creativity through many mediums. Our programming will create a tighter-knit town that is a destination for premiere culture, learning, and creativity.

As Chair of the Public Art Commission, you work to bring art to the community. How do you see the Rialto Center for Creativity expanding on that work? 

It’s going to be essential to contributing to that cause. Public art sparks curiosity and imagination. It encourages viewers to ask questions, inspires future artists, and creates opportunities for all sorts of educational programming across all ages. The Rialto will do all of that and more. Beyond strengthening Westfield’s connection to the arts, I believe the two groups can collaborate to make Westfield a significant arts destination in the state of New Jersey. 

As a certified therapeutic arts facilitator, you understand the deep relationship between art, creativity, and wellness. How does that unique background influence your contributions to the board?

I know how important and therapeutic creativity can be. Whether you’re simply sitting and taking in live music, or walking through a gallery and experiencing beauty someone else created, or learning a new skill and pushing your own imagination, the arts improve everyone’s lives. It’s been proven to reduce stress and anxiety in all ages, build problem solving skills in children, and keep the elderly active and cognitively engaged. I’ve experienced first-hand the joy of an 89 year old man learning to drum for the first time. I’ve taught 4-year olds-about Picasso and saw their imaginations and confidence go wild as they painted self portraits in his famous style. It’s truly incredible to witness at every age. 

Knowing the power of creativity makes it so easy to advocate for our mission, contribute to future programming, and be truly invested in this project. I’m honored to be a part of the mission and I can’t wait to see this vision become a reality.

About the Rialto Center for Creativity

The Rialto Center for Creativity is transforming Westfield’s historic Rialto Theater into a vibrant hub for cultural conversation, live performances, and hands-on learning. 

The Rialto Center for Creativity is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c )(3).