This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Naugatuck Arts Commission Holds Meet and Greet

The Naugatuck Arts Commission sponsored a Meet and Greet on Wednesday at the Milestone Inn.  This was a chance for Naugatuck residents to learn about how they can make a difference in the artistic and cultural climate here in their town. 

According to their mission statement, the Commission, which is part of the town budget, "was established to foster, promote, encourage and celebrate the excellence, enjoyment and vitality of the arts in Naugatuck. They seek to sponsor and coordinate entertaining, innovative and educational programs representative of the fine, applied and performing arts. The Commission will promote a favorable climate to attract artists of all ages, cultures and areas in interest to the borough."

The Commission Chair Lisa D'Andrea introduced Secretary Aldona LaPorta and members Frank Alcorace, Ellen Hanley and Marianna Vagnini-Dadamo. Burgess Liaison Catherine Ernsky attended and photographed the event for the Facebook page.  

Ms. D'Andrea shared many of the activities that the Commission has sponsored over the years. The Summer Concert Series on the Naugatuck Green is perhaps the most familiar to borough residents. Many Naugatuck residents join families from surrounding towns to attend these free weekly concerts throughout the summer. Since 2011 the Commission has produced the All Arts Festival which features a variety of live entertainment, an open mic, an art gallery, a pARTicipate tent, an instrument petting zoo, and a Chalk the Walk. This year's event will be on August 23.  

Citizens of Naugatuck may also be aware of the performance opportunities offered by Naugatuck Community Choir, Naugatuck Community Band and the Naugatuck Teen Theatre. The Howard Whittemore Library offers its space for artists to display their work; it also has served as a venue for music recitals. The annual Veteran's Day Concert is scheduled for Friday, May 23 and is always well-attended by both veterans and their families.  

The Commission is also responsible for the Ceasar & Geraldine Ruggeri Scholarship that is awarded to a graduating NHS senior who is pursuing a degree in the arts. Applications are available in the Guidance Office at the high school and are due next week.  

In the future, the Arts Commission is looking to expand their reach and to provide even more opportunities to the residents of the borough and the Naugatuck valley. Some new ideas in play are reestablishing bi-monthly music recitals and perhaps a regular poetry reading series. 

The Naugatuck Arts Commission has two commissioner spots open as well as space for some alternates. They are also in need of new ideas and include a space for public comment during their monthly meetings. The group meets in the Town Hall on the 4th floor on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm. However, the May meeting will be held May 13th.  The meetings are where the commissioners brainstorm ideas and they invite the public to attend and present an idea. If a resident does not have the time to volunteer to serve as a commissioner, they can still have a voice by attending a monthly meeting. E-mail info.naugyarts@yahoo.com.

All photos courtesy of Catherine Ernsky on the Commission's Facebook page

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

Patch Mayors are trusted local users who help moderate the Patch platform by promoting good local stories and flagging unwanted content. To learn more, click here.