While small town angels come in all shapes and sizes, it would have been hard to predict that someone like Matt Garfield would appear out of nowhere to become a major benefactor for the Prince Theatre and the soon-to-be-opened Garfield Center for the Arts. The owner of a family precious metals refining business in Philadelphia, as well as a major philanthropist and non-profit leader for such organizations as the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Public Library, Matt is also a bona fide Broadway producer for such hits as State Fair and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
Matt, and his wife, Marie, decided to live on the Eastern Shore primarily to return to the landscape Matt fell in love with when he was a camper at Echo Hill.
Matt has also fallen in love with the Prince. As a result of his major commitment to renovate the theatre lobby and make important structural improvements to the aging building, the Board of the Prince Foundation appropriately voted last year to create the Garfield Center for the Arts to honor Matt and Marie.
While Matt feels he’s made an outstanding investment in downtown, he’s eager for others to step forward. While one guy from Philadelphia can make a real difference in the life of community center, Matt’s the first to suggest that small town angels, whether they give large or small donations, can be found everywhere in Chestertown.
The Spy caught up with Matt on his last visit to Chestertown.
Mary Wood says
Welcome to our community. I have enjoyed the theatre here for years, as well as the Church Hill Theatre on the other side of the river. Both venues have brought out, for our delight, talented folk : actors,singers,directors,writers,set and costume designers,and those wonderful backstage miracle workers. Thanks for putting your shoulder to the wheel and giving it a great push forward.
Keith Thompson says
As someone who attends many if not most of the functions at the Prince and has even contributed to a couple of shows as a writer, I applaud Mr. Garfield for stepping forward with his financial committment to maintain the Garfield Center/Prince Theatre as a first class venue for the arts in Chestertown. This theatre is one of the town’s greatest treasures and should be supported.
I do hope that many of the business owners downtown would pay special attention to Mr. Garfield’s desire to have the theatre be something that contributes to downtown economy. The theatre can only do that if all of the downtown retail businesses are open when the pre-show crowds are there to catch the shows at the theatre. On the flip side, if you have all of the downtown retail businesses open on show nights, that can also serve as a draw that will help attendence at the theatre.
Dorothy Carpenter says
Thank you so much Matt and Marie! You are true community heros.
ps… Would you like to visit the Family Support Center in Sudlersville? Let me show you another form of community investment and stimulus that will warm your soul 🙂
Um … seriously
Carla Massoni says
Just returned to Chestertown last night and first on my list was a visit to the Chestertown Spy! Great interview! Matt and Marie Garfield are to be celebrated for their long standing commitment to the arts. How lucky we are to live in this glorious community and recognize that the arts – performing and visual – benefit all and act as an economic engine for the entire region. Come celebrate the opening of the Garfield Center for the Arts with a street fair on Friday evening – September 30 – from 6-9 pm. Enjoy the ribbon cutting, music, refreshments and free activities for the entire family. The Black Tie Gala on Saturday will be for fundraising and putting on our “top hat and tails.” Matt and Marie’s long time friend and fellow theater veteran John Davidson will be coming to town to celebrate his good friends and entertain us all!!