By Darlene Brace
The Lakeshore Center for the Arts in Westfield is a fine arts center that features live theater, instrumental groups, and digital arts. It hosts writers’ groups, festivals, community events, classes, and an art gallery, providing opportunities for the community to learn, teach, volunteer, and engage with high-quality arts.
Theater productions in Westfield began in the 1940s under the name Lakeshore Little Theater, and this tradition continued for decades. In 2012, Rick Mascaro, the center’s current executive director, returned to the area and revitalized the arts in Westfield, which had diminished over time. As tribute to the Lakeshore Little Theater, the organization was rebranded as the Lakeshore Center for the Arts.
From 2012 to 2017, the Lakeshore Center for the Arts did not have a permanent location for its theater productions. During this time, performances were held at various venues, including clubs, churches, and libraries. In 2017, the First Presbyterian Church, located at 49 S. Portage Avenue in Westfield, became the permanent home of the Lakeshore Center for the Arts. The organization now occupies the second and third floors of the church, where it continues to operate.
Today, the Lakeshore Center for the Arts features various studios with distinct purposes. One highlight is the Innovation Studio, which focuses on digital arts, including music, photography, audio, animation, illustration, web, and video production. The center provides access to equipment and software, along with classes for a membership fee of $35 per year, allowing members to use the studio free of charge.
The Brenda Eno Gallery is an art gallery dedicated to visual arts. This gallery hosts different exhibits that change every couple of months, and it also showcases local students’ artwork. Notably, there are themed exhibits in the spring and fall.
The Lorna Penny Suite was renovated in memory of Lorna Penny after her passing in 2019. It serves as a boardroom, theater, and library, and it is free of charge to community and charitable groups. Members of the Lakeshore Center can use it for a modest fee. This suite also serves as the location for the Writers’ Group that provides a supportive environment for writers. The Writer’s Group meetings take place on Wednesdays from 3pm-4:30pm. Additionally, there is a writing contest that writers can submit three poems and short stories between June 1st and August 30th for this year’s contest.
The Bill Ross Recital Hall that has been the location for some exciting live music entertainment. On the first Thursday of the month, they have an Open Mic Night at 7pm. Whether you are seasoned performer or not, all forms of talent are welcomed, and you just need to sign up when you arrive. Additionally, on the third Thursday of the month, the Center is hosting a Songwriter’s Circle Music Series in which three musicians perform.
Next week, the Lakeshore Center will host its biggest event of the year which is the Juice Box One Act Play Competition. This year’s competition takes place June 10th – June 14th. Submissions were received from around the world, representing 10 countries and 40 states. For the 2026 competition, over 200 plays were submitted months ago. From all the submissions, a panel of judges selected the top five comedies and the top five dramas, which will be performed and directed by the Center’s Juice Box Players.
The performance of the top five dramas and five comedies will take place at the Center from June 10th to June 13th. After these performances, audience votes and scores from professional judges will be tallied on Saturday evening following the performances. On Sunday, June 14th, the top three comedies and the top three dramas will be performed again, and the winners of the competition will be announced. Prizes will be awarded for $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $100 for third place.
The Juice Box One Act Plays are a great avenue for writers to submit their plays and have a chance to have them performed as well as receiving feedback about their work. Next year’s window to submit plays will be posted on the website soon. You can also find all the rules and regulations for this competition as well as information on all the programs and events on their website.
You can also contact Rick Mascaro, 716-960-0882 if you still have questions. Rick has been a godsend to the Westfield area, and he is the driving force that has brought back the arts to Westfield. This community is fortunate and thankful that Rick leads the amazing programming that the Lakeshore Center for the Arts has to offer.