South Adams Savings Bank Boosts Adams Theatre Revival
Bank Provides $16,700 of Film Equipment to the Topia Arts Center
ADAMS, Mass. - South Adams Savings Bank has donated $16,700 to the Topia Arts Center in Adams for the purchase of digital film-projection equipment. Purchase of the equipment will allow the Center to show family-oriented feature films in the Center’s 350 seat theatre. Scheduled to begin airing in the spring of 2009, the films will be free to the public.
“Supporting the revitalization of the Topia Arts Center is honoring the cultural and artistic history of Adams and north county,” said Charles O’Brien, president and CEO of South Adams Savings Bank. “This center will serve to enhance our community by bringing quality entertainment and exposure to the performing arts to the children and adults in our community.”
Nana Simopoulos and Caryn Heilman, directors of Topia Arts Center, are devoted to bringing their vision for the arts and education center to life, and have been doing so with support from local businesses, foundations and government grants. “Having South Adams Savings Bank come on board with the arts center is a huge help in moving this exciting project forward,” said Simopoulos of the bank’s sponsorship.
Topia Arts Center’s Board Chairman Erin Mucci and other Topia Board Members, including board member David Bissaillon and volunteer Jerry Rieper, have been working alongside Simopoulos and Heilman on the revitalization of the theatre. Other business collaborations include architect Dana Bixby of West Stockbridge, Robert Long and Athos Zaghi of Theater Consultants Collaborative and Duncan Webb of Webb Management Services.
A non-profit organization, Topia Arts Center’s mission is to develop an atmosphere of creativity where original and innovative performing arts and educational programs can thrive and be appreciated in the northern Berkshires. Restoration of the center will occur in phases with sister businesses, Café Topia and the Topia Inn. For more information on the center, please visit http://www.topiaarts.org/.
Founded in 1869, South Adams Savings Bank is a state-chartered mutual savings bank with over $190 million in assets serving the residents of Berkshire County from offices in Adams, Cheshire, Williamstown and Lee. Deposits are insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and by the Depositors Insurance Fund. South Adams Savings Bank can be contacted at 413-743-0040 or at www.sasavings.com.
