The Pastel Artwork of Roland Cosby Memorial Exhibit at the Milton Public Library’s Wotiz Gallery throughout July

From July 1st through the 31st, the Milton Public Library will be showing a wonderful collection of artwork in our Wotiz Gallery, which is a memorial to an artist named Roland Cosby.  In this display, called “The Pastel Artwork of Roland Cosby: July 2024 MPL Memorial Exhibit,” you will be able to view a wide variety of colorful and creative paintings by the artist, who passed away in 2011.  He was born in Richmond, VA and came to Massachusetts as an enlisted Airman in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) stationed at the Otis Air National Guard Base.  Roland made many friends in Massachusetts during his service, and made MA his home.  He was indeed a Renaissance Man of the 20th Century.  He played multiple musical instruments, but most often he performed as a bassist in several local bands.  He also owned a roller skating store called “Wheels” on Newbury Street in Boston, and brought freestyle roller skating to the crowds at Revere Beach and along the Charles River walkway.  He won accolades as a speed skater as well.

This artist was self-taught and he worked in many visual art mediums, calling his body of paintings “ROLART.”  He participated in several youth organizations as a teacher, advisor and volunteer, to include assisting with sidewalk murals and more.  He focused for a time on helping adolescents find and create beauty within their communities, and then in later years, he started working mostly in pastel.  Roland was mentored by the late Dorothy Lepler of Brookine, MA, and she taught him how to paint with powdered pigments.  Many of his works are floral, but he also produced landscapes, portraits of people and pets, some as special orders and many as gifts to friends.  At the time of his passing, his paintings were on display at various local shows and at his walk-in studio at the Western Avenue Studios in Lowell.  Boston’s Mayor, Thomas Menino, presented Roland with a first-place certificate for his pastel work at City Hall, and he won multiple art awards such as “Best of Show” at the Chelmsford Art Association Show in July 2013, posthumously.  He was also a member of the Arts League of Lowell.

After a challenging recovery from a stroke and heart disease, this talented man died peacefully on 8/27/11.  More than 10 years later, he is still sorely missed by his countless friends and the family he made in the Boston area.  His artwork was left to the Ridley, Agro, Buonagurio family.  Their mission is to honor his legacy by using proceeds from the sale of his artwork to foster other artists and worthy causes, such as the Lowell Summer Music Series Fund for graduating seniors who plan to continue their education in the fine arts.  Part of the proceeds from any sales made during the Milton Public Library exhibit will be donated to the library, and for more information please contact Sally Ridley at (339) 236-1783 or Jessica Buonagurio at (617) 877-4942.

There will also be a free and open reception to celebrate this display held in the Gallery on Wednesday, 7/10/24, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m..  Please stop by and join us to learn more about this excellent artist and to view his work.  You may also go to our website (www.miltonlibrary.org) and click on “events” from the main page to learn more and to inquire about applying for an MPL exhibit, please Email [email protected] (Reference Dept) or call (617) 898-4964.