GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center has launched a new series of speaking programs designed to spark community conversations.

On the third Friday of each month, the 324 Main St. arts center will welcome a guest speaker to present on a topic in the “Theater of Ideas.” Topics will range from arts and culture to issues impacting the city — anything and everything to get people to gather, converse and share ideas.

“It’s just kinda a place to talk about ideas,” said The LAVA Center’s Co-Coordinator Jan Maher.

On Feb. 28, the center held its first “Theater of Ideas” program featuring Greenfield Business Association Director Hannah Rechtschaffen. Rechtschaffen’s session, titled “Hey! That’s My Town,” welcomed attendees to explore the past, present and future of downtown Greenfield, and how residents can create a thriving city with an interwoven arts and business community.

“The arts are about conversation,” Rechtschaffen said. “The arts give us lots of avenues to think about how we’re feeling about a place.”

Rechtschaffen said since she took over as GBA director in 2023, she’s heard community members express exhaustion, a dip in community pride and an eagerness to see improvements. During the approximately two-hour conversation, Rechtschaffen discussed with residents and business owners what they like about Greenfield, what they feel the city needs and how they can get the city to where they want it to be.

“If we don’t take the time to talk and look back at what’s been done, we’re not gonna be as effective as we can,” Rechtschaffen said.

Doug Selwyn, a member of The LAVA Center’s board of directors, said the city needs to do more to bring life to its streets. He said his grandson who lives in New York City came to visit and was shocked by how few people where walking around downtown.

Attendees said they would like to see empty storefronts be brought back to life, perhaps with pop-up community art galleries. They also expressed an interest in having more community events and coordinated efforts among existing businesses that could attract more visitors.

Whether it be music, or scents of food emanating from the various shops and restaurants, evidence of activity makes people feel safe and excited to explore a place, said local attorney and Garden Cinemas co-owner Isaac Mass.

“If you can smell good cooking, you tend to get a feeling that it’s a safe place and it’s a place where things are warm,” Mass said.

Attendees added that developing more affordable housing downtown would likely bring more young people to the city, and they would eat and shop downtown. Rechtschaffen said the GBA plans to convene a working group of Greenfield property owners to discuss construction regulations and what can be done to develop housing and new businesses.

Rechtschaffen said the city will need to make an effort to advertise itself as a place to shop, eat and live.

“What is the story we’re telling about this place in an effective manner?” Rechtschaffen asked.

The next Theater of Ideas program will be held on March 21, at 6 p.m. with local musician Nina Gross. Gross will lead a session titled “Taking the Pulse,” which will explore sound and its role in private and public energy.

On April 18, the Theater of Ideas will welcome Ash Goverman for “Life on the Ice,” detailing Goverman’s adventures in an Antarctic field camp for climate scientists.

To learn more about the program, visit thelavacenter.org.

Reach Madison Schofield at
413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.