Rick Mascaro, right, Lake Shore Center for the Arts executive director, was welcomed to the July 9 Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club meeting at The Parkview in Westfield by John "Doc" Hamels, left, club president.

WESTFIELD — Rick Mascaro, Lake Shore Center for the Arts Executive Director, took center stage during the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club’s recent meeting at The Parkview. Mascaro highlighted the history of and the varieties of fine arts offerings at the center, which is open to the public and is located on the third floor of the First Presbyterian Church, 49 S. Portage St., in Westfield. Mascaro’s program was sponsored by John “Doc” Hamels, Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club President.

Mascaro said, “I learned something a long time ago. I found that people who appreciate the arts do more than exist. They understand the difference between existing and truly taking part in life. The arts are a really important part of our culture and the quality of our lives.” Mascaro, who is a Westfield native and a graduate of Westfield Academy and Central School, had a career in fine arts education, administration, and performance. His arts experiences range from playing trumpet on tour with Bob Hope, to serving as Executive Director of Fine Arts for the Anderson City Schools in South Carolina.

He also served on the faculty at Clemson University, where he taught speech and theater. Mascaro is the founder of three theaters in Anderson, South Carolina, and upon retiring in 2012, he returned to Westfield to renew the arts opportunities in the Western New York area. The center, which is a 501(c)(3) organization, was begun in 2014. It is named in honor of the Lake Shore Little Theater with which numerous of its board members were involved many years ago.

Many of the center’s productions were held in a variety of public sites, such as churches, restaurants, parks, and libraries. Soon the organization grew and had a need for a permanent home, which it found about two years ago on the third floor of the First Presbyterian Church, 49 S. Portage St. in Westfield.

The center’s facility includes the Jacqueline Phillips Theater, Bill Ross Recital Hall, and the Brenda Eno Art Gallery. The center is open daily to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mascaro stated, “We have plays, concerts, art exhibits, groups for writers, arts instruction, and movie nights. We are in the process of starting an innovation lab for movie making, photography, and photo composition, with the ultimate goal of having movies about Westfield created through the use of mobile phones. Our future is very bright.”

Mascaro announced some of the upcoming arts opportunities at LSCFTA. He noted that its classic movie nights are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. are free. Concessions are available.

He added, “Here at the LSCFTA we have a hidden jewel of fine arts opportunities for the public. We invite folks to join us as program participants, volunteers, members, and/or patrons. All donations are tax exempt. Membership levels are student – $15; adult – $35; family – $50; and business – $150.”

Check the center’s website of www.lakeshorecenterforthearts.com for a complete listing of its events and experiences. Follow LSCFTA on Facebook, e-mail the center at lscfta@gmail.com or phone 224-2135. The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville applauds Rick Mascaro and those involved with the LSCFTA for expanding the scope of high quality, affordable arts experiences for the public in our region.