Herb and Paulie Emilson, whose generosity and vision created Laura’s Center for the Arts as a place for children of all ages to express their cultural and creative side, have once again contributed to the arts in order to make the Center more robust – this time through a media lab outfitted with 15 high-quality Mac computer work stations in a new, modern designed classroom setting, a first-class 3-D printer, and more. The lab is a state-of-the-art space for participants to use in a uniquely designed classroom conducive to teaching and learning. The new items were introduced within Laura’s Center for the Arts at the South Shore YMCA in March of 2019 and have been used ever since their installment by South Shore YMCA campers during Arts Camp at Laura Center for the Arts this summer.
“This high-quality lab space will enhance educational experiences in digital literacy for local youth and provide children with a collaborative environment to explore appropriate uses of technology in a safe and fun environment,” said South Shore YMCA President and CEO Paul Gorman. “This generous gift is a testament to the strong partnership between the Y, our community, and its champions like Herb and Paulie Emilson.”
Today, the Emilson family’s generosity can be seen in countless ways, such as the South Shore Y’s Emilson Branch which is named after them, and Laura’s Center for the Arts, which was named in honor of their late daughter Laura Reikert. Beyond the South Shore YMCA, Herb and Paulie have given millions over the years to dozens of South Shore organizations.
“The Media Lab has been a wonderful addition to our YMCA,” said Dan Berry, Director, South Shore YMCA Emilson Branch. “Our Arts & Education Summer Camp programs have benefitted tremendously already from this amazing lab. Our specialty camps included graphic design, photography, and Film Pro. Proving to be popular offerings from the very start, these camp programs were all full in our first summer of the Lab’s operation.”
In May, the South Shore YMCA (SSYMCA) and South Shore Conservatory (SSC) announced a new collaboration between the organizations to begin this September at Laura’s Center for the Arts at the Emilson YMCA campus in Hanover. Through increased usage of the space, these workstations will provide more members of the local community at all levels of education and understanding with hands-on experience.
“This new lab provides an amazing opportunity for kids and people of all ages to learn how to use technology and develop their skills,” said Christopher Crossen-Sills, Camp Director, South Shore YMCA Camp Gordon Clark. “Being able to take photos and create videos separates people’s skill sets apart from the rest nowadays. Knowing the right ways to use tech is a huge marketable skill for kids to learn at a young age. It’s about training people on how to take proper footage, and learning the discipline behind it, too. There are so many practical applications of this technology for a kid who sits down and learns how to use this media equipment properly and appropriately. There’s a creative aspect, too. With the Emilson family’s generous donation, our Y members now have access to industry-standard equipment within the new lab, which is exactly what they’re going to get in the ‘real world.’ These experiences will train users to the highest levels. Digital literacy applies to everybody, and the possibilities here are endless. The best thing about the investment is that it is useful to anyone at any age and at any level.”
“We will be offering a full contingent of classes this Fall that will include graphic design, photography, film/movie making and navigating social media,” added Berry of the lab and its new offerings. “These classes will be available for many different age groups. In addition, we are hoping to offer open lab times for participants to work on their various projects throughout the program session as well.”
“Having the Digital Media lab has allowed us to provide our students with the tools they will be using for the next stages of their lives,” said Tyler Cavanagh, Assistant Director, Arts & Education, Laura’s Center for the Arts. “The world revolves around technology and being able to teach traditional media and digital media side-by-side is critical to show our next generation the importance of honoring the past while looking to the future. The lab will provide a space for our community to develop new skills that are essential not only in the workplace, but also for connection with their family and friends while providing an opportunity for engaging the creative process. The lab caters to students of all ages and will allow us to launch more and more programming that engages youth, teens, adults, seniors, and provides the opportunity for impactful family and intergenerational programming!”
To support Arts on the South Shore, visit www.ssymca.org/give/donate. For more information on the new technology within the media lab at the South Shore YMCA’s Laura’s Center for the Arts, contact Dan Berry, Executive Director, Emilson YMCA in Hanover, at (781) 829-8585 ext. 8223 or dberry@ssymca.org.
###
About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a charitable, nonprofit organization of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. The Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through services and programs focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Financial assistance for Y membership and programs is available based on need, thanks to the generous annual support of our donors. With vibrant community and early learning centers serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the YMCA seeks to serve all people, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, religion, or economic circumstances – so that we all truly belong.
Laura’s Center for the Arts, located on the Emilson YMCA campus at 97 Mill Street, Hanover, is a stunning community arts center designed to provide a welcoming environment for all ages and abilities to explore and discover the wonder of the arts. This state-of-the-art, 10,000-foot venue offers space for all facets of the arts with its mainstage, outdoor amphitheater, gallery and education studio space. In 2013, Laura’s Center for the Arts was dedicated to Laura Emilson-Riekert, loving supporter and instructor at the South Shore YMCA. Laura’s passion for tennis and her family’s shared love of the arts inspired many, and her memory is preserved in the name of this awe-inspiring building designed to bring the arts to delight children and adults of all ages.
The South Shore YMCA’s main branches are the Quincy YMCA located at 79 Coddington Street (617-479-8500) the Emilson YMCA in Hanover located at 75 Mill Street (781-829-8585) and ZoneWellness located in Assinippi Park in Norwell (781-264-9488). The South Shore YMCA’s administrative offices are at 141 Longwater Drive, Suite 110, (781-264-9400). To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
