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On the site of a former elementary school, The Green Street Arts Center will also welcome back some of the building’s past students during the open house. It is hosting an all-year reunion for alumni of the Johnson School (Green Street School) and the St. Sebastian School. More than 75 alumni have already responded to invitations and plan to attend.
Morris said everything so far has gone according to schedule and the center should have no problems being ready for it’s grand opening in Jan. 5. Furniture is set to arrive at the center on Wednesday.
The center has already launched a series of pilot classes, workshops and performances since 2002, including sponsoring a youth documentary video project as well as a capella choir, the NEAT Notes. These programs have already reached 3,000 participants, according to the center.
Funds for the renovation were raised through a partnership involving Wesleyan alumni, faculty, staff and parents, private foundations, corporations, as well grants from the city, state and national level.
The center is a collaboration between Wesleyan University, the North End Action Team, the city, Macdonough School, Church of the Holy Trinity, Community Health Center as well as other community partners. When renovations are complete, the facility will offer a fully-equipped sound/recording, videography, digital photography, writing and graphic arts lab. It will also feature two visual arts studios, a dance studio and a performance studio with a seating capacity of 100.
More than 30 classes will be offered once the center opens on Jan. 5, including Playwriting, Videography, Afro-Caribbean Doll Making and a Grandparents and Grandchildren Multimedia Blitz. Participation at the center is open to everyone in the region and tuition assistance is available to those that qualify. To receive a spring catalogue or more information about the Green Street Arts Center, call 860-685-7871 or visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org.
To contact Szymon Twarog, call (860) 347-3331 Ext. 220.
