For many, many years, visitors to Maudslay Arts Center were welcomed by one of MAC’s founders Nicholas J. Costello. Sitting in a chair and wearing his trademark wide-brimmed straw hat, Nick greeted one and all. He is indeed “The Maudslay Gentleman.”
To re-create the iconic scene longtime MAC patrons Rod and Mary L’Italien
commissioned local artist Anne Recchia to create a watercolor painting. The painting now hangs in the Costello home, but cards and limited-edition prints will be on sale at MAC this summer.
“The painting and the cards were our way of memorializing a familiar and
welcome scene for us,” Mary L’Italien said, “and in the end, we are hopeful that the
project will allow some funding for a venue many people hold dear.”
“It’s haunting,” said Nick’s wife Cynthia. “It really is. He’s getting so many
wonderful things after his many years of service.”