Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Expanded adult visual arts department offers more programs, free events

Instructor Charlie Guay (left) and Denise Gollaher discuss a piece during a figure drawing class at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. PHOTO/KATHLEEN CULLER

Two years ago, Marion Buricatu began the process of developing the Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ adult visual arts programs after splitting them from the HCA’s youth programs.

“When we realized there was so much potential [for] classes for adults … we decided to separate these two departments,” said Buricatu, who has taken on the role as the HCA’s adult visual arts director.

Buricatu explained she had two approaches when it came to developing her department. The first was to understand what patrons were looking for and to build consistency with programming. This, she explained, led to an expansion of classes in different mediums, standardizing the lengths of multi-week classes, managing costs and adjusting the days of the week when classes are offered.

“We expanded from the week to the weekend, and days and nights,” she said.

Her other vision was to make the HCA “the hip place to be on Friday nights.” Buricatu related this idea to the culture of her hometown in France where residents regularly gather downtown in the evenings. “I was like, this is what we want to do at the HCA,” she recalled.

Part of making that vision real was changing the way in which events are run at the arts center so patrons can find opportunities to mingle regardless of the class or activity they’re participating in.

“Everybody wants to have their own little world and not mingle,” said Buricatu. “I really wanted to show that we want to be together.”

The HCA has expanded its class offerings and staff as a result of these efforts. Buricatu shared that the adult visual arts department will offer 47 classes this fall, up from 33 last year. Likewise, its staff has expanded from 15 instructors to 20 in the same time span.

While many of the classes cost money, Buricatu said that there are free options available to the community. “We really believe this should be accessible for everybody,” she said.

Free options at the HCA include a once-a-month docent tour of its gallery, an open circle offering where patrons can go and ask questions, open studio time twice a week and a critique night.

Buricatu’s hope is to bring more Hopkinton residents into the arts center, especially younger ones. “We’re really looking at this younger population that’s moving to Hopkinton and wants to have fun,” she said.

Added Buricatu: “I think the HCA has a strong vision of its place inside the community.”

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The School Committee reviewed options for start and end times for the 2027-28 academic year during its meeting Thursday.

Out-of-town speakers challenged the school district’s exception of its weapons policy for Sikh kirpans during the School Committee meeting Thursday.

The School Committee on Thursday met with administrators who highlighted changes to the student handbook, including those related to fast food and attendance.

Paving on Main Street will continue this week as contractors wrap up work on side streets in the project area.

Crews will be out on Wood Street this Wednesday to complete drainage trench milling and paving work.

The latest Business Briefs highlights a grant awarded to Baypath Humane Society by the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation.

Photo of the Day

Joe Baldiga (center) of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association chats with Ken (second from right) and Wendy Gendron of Aquatic Restoration Consulting at the boat ramp at Sandy Beach ahead of an end-of-season weed survey on Friday. Baldiga reported in a follow-up email that initial survey results indicated reduced invasive weed presence and water quality “in fantastic shape.”

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD