2010 is off to a great start for the the Valley Arts Council, with several events and programs already in the works for the coming months.
Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo and the organization have been busy gearing up for what they hope will be another successful year.
“We have been working hard right out of the gate and we have a lot of great stuff lined up,” DiCarlo said.
The new Valley Center for the Arts is undergoing its final round of modifications to comply with fire safety codes and building codes.
“It’s been beyond frustrating,” DiCarlo said. “As we continue to make the necessary repairs, we are still faced with limited funds and an all-volunteer staff, and we are doing the best we can.”
Final inspections will be taking place over the next few weeks and the target date for completion is Feb. 1.
The Art Center will host a FREE workshop by Healing Wolf Tracks “Write to Heal©” on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. The four-hour workshop (with lunch break) will explore through the application of pen-on paper, areas of confusion and frustration.
To register for this event or for a complimentary life coaching session email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 203 – 305-2137.
An exhibit of artwork and photography by local firefighters is also in the planning stages and what better venue to showcase it than at the Art Center, which is the former Hotchkiss Hose Company Firehouse.
The Gallery@37 has a growing list of events scheduled, starting with an artists’ challenge “impressions of winter” which will take place on Feb. 6th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
VAC members, as well as local artists, are asked to submit paintings or photographs (ranging in size from 5×7 to 8×10), of winter-inspired themes to be displayed at the gallery for the remainder of the month of February.
Also in the planning stages is a puppet/marionette exhibit by a local puppet master, a comics inspired exhibit featuring original artwork by a master illustrator and former artist of Charlton Comics — and a springtime arts & craft event in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club.
In addition, the VAC has partnered with Oil Drum Art to create the Drums for Troops program, designed to honor our military personnel and in conjunction with art classes from the Valley schools.
The Gallery will be expanding its hours to include weekday afternoons to increase traffic.
“We are working out the logistics in order to add weekday hours to our schedule.” DiCarlo said. “We are making the most of the weekend traffic and now we need to tap into the daytime business hours as well.”
These events are just another step in establishing a cultural foothold in the Valley and the VAC encourages artists from all disciplines, as well as the public, to come by and see for themselves.
To join the Valley Arts Council, or for more information about renting studio spaces, please contact Rich DiCarlo at: 203 – 906-4343 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit www.valleyartscouncil.org.
