Lisa Bruno

Sunday Salon Series: “Days and Knights of the Round Table”

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Come join us to learn about the true story that inspired a legend.

The Arthurian legend is perhaps the most important legend in Western society and is still frequently retold and reinterpreted today in literature and cinema.  Wesleyan Professor Jeff Rider has been studying the legend for over thirty years and will be discussing it in Green Street’s Sunday Salon Series.  Jeff will discuss the origins of the legend in Dark Age Britain along with its early evolution in medieval England and France. Audience members are invited to ask questions about Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, the Grail, and much more.

This informal lecture takes place on Sunday, September 12 from 2-4pm as part of the Sunday Salon Series, Green Street’s monthly discussion series for creative minds and curious individuals hosted by Wesleyan University Chemistry Professor David Beveridge.  Each monthly salon includes plenty of opportunity for socializing as well as a reception with light refreshments.

More about Jeff Rider
As a professor of French and Medieval Studies at Wesleyan University, Rider is an expert on the history and literature of northern Europe during the High Middle Ages.  He received his bachelor’s degree in French and English from Yale University, a diploma of Medieval Studies from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium), and a MA and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago.

Rider is the author of twenty-three published articles and six books, editions, or translations devoted medieval subjects.  He has given numerous lectures about the Arthurian legend in the United States, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Hungary, Romania, and Peru.

He teaches French language and medieval literature and history courses to undergrads, and recently taught a course on “Chivalry, Courtliness, and Courtly Love in the Middle Ages” to students enrolled in Wesleyan’s Graduate Liberal Studies Program.  He will be teaching a GLSP class this fall on “Days and Knights of the Round Table”.  Much like his Sunday Salon discussion, it will look at the way the various developments of the legend were rooted in specific historical circumstances and yet contributed to the elaboration of a rich and complex narrative that has been appropriated in different ways by each succeeding period of western European culture.

Days and Knights of the Round Table with Professor Jeff Rider
A Sunday Salon & Graduate Liberal Studies Open House
Sunday, September 12 | 2:00-4:00 pm
Suggested donation: $5

Co-sponsored by Green Street Arts Center and Graduate Liberal Studies at Wesleyan, this event will be followed by an information session about Wesleyan’s Graduate Liberal Studies Program.

For a complete list of events at Green Street, click here.

East Berlin to Essex

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Internationally-Recognized Artist Shares Story and Talents with Green Street

Edeltraud Huller is not only a Green Street teaching artist, she is also an internationally-recognized artist and talented musician. Two years ago, in an effort to fill a void, Edeltraud walked into Green Street and said “I need to volunteer”. From there she was invited to teach drawing to our After School program and Evening & Weekend students.

Teaching has always been a passion of Huller’s, “to see the students’ completed work with such depth and technique that they basically went into the soul, to me that is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” She also marvels at the natural instinct in the children she teaches, citing their spontaneity as one of their best artistic features.

Edeltraud Huller’s story is an inspirational one.  As a young girl growing up in East Berlin, Germany Edeltraud was curious, devious, and artistic.  Drawing from an early age, she remembers using the revolutionary image of Donald Duck as one of the first examples of graffiti in her neighborhood and on every blackboard in her school.  For Huller, art has always been a way to transcend the problems of divided Berlin, and she recalls escaping to museums of Eastern Berlin to immerse herself in the art and culture.

Edeltraud Huller's 1945 - 9/11/01Much of Edeltraud’s art reflects her surrounding, whether immediate or past.  In her own words, “I am influenced by the converging environments around me, whether it be the richness of nature, the beauty created by endeavors of the human mind, or the architectural destruction and human wreckage of war.” A powerful piece titled “1945 – 9/11/2001” juxtaposes world history with recent American history (see left).  The upper left depicts the war-torn Berlin in which the artist lived while the right side shows the events of September 11th, a time when New York City experienced a concentrated war-zone.  The hints of vibrant color in the center represent the hope that comes with rebuilding Ground Zero.  Huller notes that, though this painting represents two specific time periods, it could depict any world or natural disaster.

Huller move to Old Lyme, CT in 1984 to live the life of an artist and this time also greatly influenced her art.   After operating the Essex ferry for two years, she was inspired by the bulkheads between the low and high tides.  Manipulating linen and using acrylic for depth, the artist was able to recreate her interpretation of the image of low tide (see painting below).  Surely one thing that stands out about Edeltraud Huller is her vision.  “It takes the gift of a child’s mind,” she says, laughing, “and I hope never to lose that.”

Submitted by Lisa Bruno, Development Assistant

If you are inspired by Edeltraud’s story and want to learn more, you can participate in her upcoming fall class:

Drawing for Adults
Wednesdays | 6:30-8:30 pm | Session 2
Regular: $150 | Family/Friends/Student/Seniors: $130 | Members: $120
Expand your drawing skills through close observation, using realistic and expressionistic drawing techniques.  Explore dynamic compositions with three-dimensional objects, props, and lighting, and draw your own interpretations.  Investigate and create the illusion of form, value, space, and texture with materials such as charcoal, pencil, pen, and ink. Materials are included in class cost.

To register for this or any of Green Street’s  fall offerings click here or call (860) 685-7871.

Future Animators Shaped At Green Street

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“Working at Green Street, in the After School program, has given me the chance to show our students how current technology can be a creative tool that they can use to express themselves.  I try to help them see how relatively easy it is for them to create sophisticated content, and put it out into the community and further into the world. In some sense, I want to convert them from passive consumers of online content into creative producers.” -Shawn Hill

For the past few years I’ve been teaching Digital Video Animation to Green Street’s After School students and helping them create animated shorts (cartoons).  Students draw images on the computer and then move those images to a new location on the screen.  The computer then infills the motion necessary to move from the initial location to the new one, and creates the sense of motion over time.Student Animator

Animating in this way gives the students immediate feedback on their drawings and brings them to life through motion.  Each student is typically able to create a short animated section of about 3-6 seconds in length during an hour-long class.  And, while spending an hour to create 5 seconds of a cartoon may sound like a lot of time, when you consider that 5 seconds represents 120 frames, you can imagine how much time it would have taken even the most talented classic Disney animators to draw 120 subtly different drawings in order to add up to 5 seconds of final film!

Each semester our class settles on a theme – over the years we’ve done global warming, exercising, Middletown, and science.  In each class I introduce and demonstrate a new skill or technique in Anime Studio.  The students then go off to their own computer to draw, and then animate some part of the semester’s theme, using the new skill/technique.

Each week the students create their clips independently, and the beginning of the following class is often a great chance for them to see the creativity and skill of their peers By mid-semester we begin to assemble the best clips into a class video.  We work on titles and credits, and typically end-up with a final class video of about 6 minutes in length.  Students in Green Street’s Sound Recording class then create soundtracks that we add to the final cartoon.

Submitted by Shawn Hill, Wesleyan Staff & Green Street teaching artist

Here is a video students made called “Go Out and Play”.  Click here to see more videos and get a sense of the great work our After School students have created.

A little bit about After School:
Green Street’s After School Arts and Science Program offers outstanding classes with published writers, professional dancers and visual artists that represent the diversity of our community and the breadth of our experience.  Classes are offered for grades 1-9, Monday through Thursday and grades K-5 on Fridays.  Students can take classes in digital animation, African drumming, comic book creation, breakdance, sound recording and more.  Our After School Program begins on September 13, 2010.

Registration closes at noon on September 8th, or once the program has reached maximum enrollment, so don’t wait!  In order to enroll in the program, you and your child must register with us in person to sign our Parent Handbook, complete financial aid paperwork, and/or make payments. Please call ahead – (860) 685-7871 – to schedule an appointment; drop-ins will only be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.  Registration appointments are currently being scheduled at the following times:

Monday, August 30th and Tuesday August 31st – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wednesday, September 1st and Friday, September 3rd – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Thursday, September 2nd and Tuesday, September 7th – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Green Street’s New Mural Brings The Community Together

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“It’s fun.  It’s different.  We’re starting with nothing and making something beautiful.” – Gary Cain, volunteer

Green Street is surrounded by revitalization this summer.  More than 5 neighboring houses are being remodeled, gardens are being planted, and across the street at St. Vincent DePaul Place, the community is coming together to bring color and meaning to the North End.

In 2009, Green Street partnered with Citizen’s Bank to put a mural on the corner of Green and Main Street.  With this success, Green Street and mural artist Marela Zacarias were eager to continue beautifying the community.  When Ron Krum of St. Vincent DePaul Place expressed interest in the project, funding was secured from Lego’s Children Fund and the design process began.

In preparation for the project, Marela held four educational workshops for Green Street students in which she discussed the importance of murals.  Ron then gave the kids the background of St. Vincent DePaul Place and its impact on the community.  It was obvious that the students had been inspired; at the next mural meeting, there were dozens of design ideas.  The final mural design is a culmination of Green Street student drawings, St. Vincent DePaul Place’s vision, and Marela’s artistic guidance.

It’s not just the familiar images of North End landmarks that make this mural a community collaboration; St. Vincent de Paul volunteers Gary, Bill, and John have been working tirelessly alongside Marela throughout the painting process.  These three men, all with their own story, have come together to give something back to the community and, in doing so, have formed friendships.  This dedication has inspired Marela to include their faces in the mural to give the community a stronger sense of ownership.

Marela sees the Community Mural Project as an act of kindness, something to show community support.  “That corner is the corner where hardship lives,” she says, “and the fact that we’re making that corner, specifically, beautiful and colorful and full of hope, is bringing healing to the community.”

If you are interested in supporting and helping our community revitalization efforts please contact us at (860) 685-7871 or gsac@wesleyan.edu

Submitted by Lisa Bruno, Development Assistant

Exploring Opportunities: When Work Becomes Play

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Being the Financial Coordinator and Registrar at Wesleyan’s Green Street Arts Center has many rewards.  I am able to meet many wonderful people, as the diversity of this Center is truly amazing.  I work with our teaching artists on a daily basis, and after getting to know these dynamic people I am always curious to see what their classes are like.  I took my first class at Green Street two years ago and continue to take advantage of some of the great offerings each year.

Leah's Hip-Hop ClassAfter the success of Beginning Drawing, my first Green Street class, I was inspired to continue exploring what Green Street had to offer from a student’s perspective.  Being a woman in my mid-forties, and having a sedentary job, I wanted to incorporate more activity into my life.  Leah’s Hip-Hop Aerobics class seemed like the perfect fit.

When I showed up for the first class, I could tell that I was the oldest of the 10 students.  I wasn’t discouraged- quite the opposite, actually.  I grabbed my water bottle and the determination to make it through the first class.  After 55 minutes of great music, a few simple dance moves, and stretches, I had clearly gotten a complete aerobic workout.  It was so much fun, that it was hard to think of the class as exercise.  Driving home, I felt energized and was hooked.

Like all of Green Street’s teaching artists, Leah has a way of making Hip-Hop Aerobics equally enjoyable for both beginners and experienced dancers.  She is energetic and kindly encourages all students to make the most of the experience.

After taking Hip-Hop Aerobics, I have not only have I gotten in better shape, but have also proved to myself that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.  I gave the class a chance, and I am excited to try others at Green Street again soon.

If you’re interested in attending Hip-Hop Aerobics or want more information about other classes and events at Green Street, call (860) 685-7871, email gsac@wesleyan.edu, or visit our website. Still not sure what to take?  Many classes welcome drop-ins!

Submitted by Claudia Foerstel, Financial Coordinator & Registrar and Green Street student

A Community Gathering Around Internationally Inspired Art

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For those who love art and gathering with new friends, Green Street hosts A Trio of Solos, a community event featuring three local artists with amazing talents.  You can enjoy live music from Ceol Go Maidin (formerly The O’Rourke’s Irish Session Band), fabulous food, and art on display and for purchase.

Meredith Arcari, Susan Aranoff, and Jennifer Theokary will fill three of Green Street’s spaces with their paintings, printings, and jewelry.  We invite you to fill the rest of the space with other community members as we kick off our summer session in style.

"Shining Orchestra" by Meredith Arcari

These three dynamic artists are all friends of Green Street and the Middletown community.  Meredith’s stunning paintings are based on photographs that she has taken during her travels around the world.  In an expressionist style, she uses exaggerated colors and gravitates toward small, special moments such as the orchestra playing at 2am in her father’s town of Sepino, Italy.

Susan is a proud resident of Middletown’s North End.  Much of her work features a linoleum block entitled “Sitting.”  This block reflects the constancy of self and the reality of change and impermanence.  Susan explained this saying “I can sit the same way, in the same place, everyday for a hundred years and the ‘I’ who is sitting is constantly changing and is never the same for very long.  I have printed “Sitting” over 100 times and no two will ever be the same.”

Jennifer is a designer and Computer Aided Design artist who creates unique wearable objects (see picture above).  Her recent work is inspired from her experience living and working in the Muslim country of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Jennifer’s work shows how cultural differences, religion, and Islamic architecture become inspiration for decoration and creation of wearable sculpture seen through a westerner’s eyes.  All of her works will be available for sale at this event.

This combination of fascinating artists, great entertainment, and delicious food is sure to make A Trio of Solos an unforgettable event.

"Sitting" by Susan Aranoff

We hope to see you there!

A Trio of Solos
Thursday, July 8, 2010
7-9pm
Regular Price $8; Member Price $5

For tickets call (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu.

Submitted by Rachel Roccoberton Griffin, Administrative Assistant

New Perspectives: Green Street’s Managing Director Practices What She Preaches

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As Green Street’s Managing Director, I spend most of my days, and even some nights, working behind the scenes. I’m usually writing grants, soliciting support for programming, balancing budgets, managing operations and staff, and spreading the word about all of our offerings.  I love what I do, and am even more passionate about this incredible organization for which I work, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t sometimes stressful.  One of the best parts about working at this extraordinarily special arts center is that I can relieve my stress without ever leaving the premises.

About two years ago, instead of just working to market Green Street’s course catalog, I finally found the time to take advantage of some of the incredible classes that were listed in it.  The first class I decided to try was Gia Khalsa’s Gentle Yoga.  I had never taken a yoga class before, my knowledge limited by brief images seen on TV or other advertisements.  The description of Gia’s class really grabbed my attention.  “Gia’s gentle yoga” seemed immediately inviting, instead of intimidating.  Her description went on to say, “perfect for those who want to get in shape or gain a little experience.” I wanted to get in shape, get familiar with yoga, and find a new way to unwind.

Gia teaching Yoga

As soon as I laid down my yoga mat at the first class, I was hooked.  Gia’s presence is warm, inviting, and motivating.  She mixes traditional yoga postures with light stretches and relaxation throughout the class hour, focusing on all areas of the body, including breathing and stress relief.  In one hour, Gia’s routine energizes, relaxes, reinvigorates, and motivates.  Gia is encouraging and caters to all of her students’ needs, making everyone in the class- no matter their ability- feel welcome, engaged, and inspired.  Yoga has not only helped me relieve stress, but has also played a large role in my quest for a healthier lifestyle.  In addition, yoga at Green Street has been a bonding experience for me.  I’ve been fortunate enough to take the class with my colleagues and enjoy meeting new friends. More recently, I am loving the quality time I get from taking yoga with my mom.

Yoga Class

Even after working at Green Street for nearly four years, it is still evident that walking through the front door has the power to transform.  I see it in my professional self each day, in our After School students’ eyes, and in the inspirational and passionate stories I hear from the families and adult students who make up the true fabric of the organization.  Now, as a student myself, I have been transformed in a whole new way, and I encourage you to join me.

Gia is offering a Summer Yoga class beginning in July.  To learn more about it and all of Green Street’s other summer offerings, visit us online at www.greenstreetartscenter.org.  There are so many fantastic opportunities awaiting you…I hope to see you in Yoga, or Hip-Hop too!  It’s another fabulous class that I’ve been involved in and it’ll be back this summer as well.  Can’t decide what to take?  Give us a call at (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu and we would be happy to assist you.  Make sure to sign up for one of our great summer classes.  I look forward to seeing you then.

Submitted by Jessica Carso, Managing Director and Green Street Student