| 01/06/2005 |
| Arts Center finally hosts opening day |
By SZYMON TWAROG
Middletown Press Staff
Although classes started on Monday, Wednesday was the night city officials and residents welcomed the new facility to the neighborhood. "It just feels like a dream come true," said Mayor Domenique Thornton. Jennifer Aniskovich, executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, applauded all those involved from the city, the North End Action Team, Wesleyan University and all those involved for doing something that was thought to be impossible. "This project should not have happened," said Aniskovich. "A lot of people will tell you this should not have happened. You proved all those cynics wrong." Aniskovich said with all the deterring factors such as tight budgets and partisan politics the center should have never opened its door, but somehow managed to overcome. "I do believe the politicians in the stare could take a lesson on how to do things," said Aniskovich. Peggy Busari, who has lived in the North End years before the center even became an idea, never thought she would see the day when so many groups would join together to help revitalize her neighborhood. "I couldn’t imagine it in a million years," said Busari. "It’s just a good gut feeling to see it standing here now." Ricardo Morris, the facility’s director, officially marked his one year anniversary with the center as the Ribbon was cut and said he and his staff were eager yet a little terrified when they finally opened those doors on Monday. "We held our breath until the kids showed up. The time of year it is, we weren’t sure if they would remember to come back after break," said Morris. "It’s sort of like the old saying if they build it will they come. They did and they will continue to come." The center has already had an impact in the community as it has been offering 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, but Morris says the center will make them a more stable presence in the community. "We’ve been offering programs for the last two years and we’ve been out working with the kids, but now we have a space to call our own," said Morris. "Now instead of just seeing them in workshops we will see these kids five days a week." Even with the doors officially open, Morris says the center is still in a learning and adjusting mode as they learn to deal with problems and obstacles in the road whether with faculty or students. "We will always be fine tuning and adjusting it," said Morris. "No two kids are alike and we need to adjust to meet their needs." As the night wound down and city and neighborhood officials walked out the door, Lydia Brewster, a community organizer with NEAT, reminded the kids waiting for their parents outside what the center was for. "This is your place guys," said Brewster. "Make sure you use it." More than 30 classes are offered at the center 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 or email stwarog@middletownpress.com.
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