Diffraction “Rainbow” Glasses at the Art & Science Summer Academy

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Last week fourth and fifth graders participating in Green Street’s Summer Arts & Science Academy created their very own Diffraction “Rainbow” Glasses.  Each student’s creativity shone through their designs resembling a cat, a butterfly, an elephant, a blue bunny, the United States flag, imaginary monsters, and more!  These students have been learning about topics related to light and vision with teacher Mariah Reisner.  Overall 12 teachers and teaching assistants are sharing their time and talent with the 37 Summer Academy students in grades 1-5.  This pilot program at Green Street included classes in visual art, music, dance, experimentation, and community science, and it already is being deemed a success!

Click here to view this educational art project that the students enjoyed:  Diffraction Rainbow Glasses.

Submitted by Mariah Reisner, Teaching Artist

For more great images of our summer programs, check out our Facebook page and be sure to become our fan!

Write of Passage

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Al Bower and friends at an event for writers

A 28-year resident of Middletown’s North End, I retired from full-timework to become a writer in 2006.  My Green Street Arts Center experience began when I took a writers workshop with Dan Pope, which provided the work atmosphere and critiquing I needed.  I was new to critically viewing works and hadn’t been in a classroom in decades, so this was a refresher course that provided new information.  Dan gave us relevant feedback, with lectures on how to critique and handouts of examples.  During this course an editor accepted my first short story.  What a rush!  “Synesthetics” hit print April, 2007 and is online at scars.tv.  Two others have been added there since.

Having whetted my writing appetite, the next year I workshopped with Sari Rosenblatt, who challenged us with “quickie” in-class assignments.  She’d hand out random photographs to each of us, then give us 5-10 minutes to compose a story about the picture.  I’d never dabbled in “flash fiction” before, but the exercises produced some fairly good material, which stunned me.  Two of the eleven stories I’ve published are flash pieces.  Later that year a one-day workshop with Jamie Cat Callan presented similar challenges; we composed five-minute works, again with positive results.

Adult Reader
Writing student reading work at a GSAC event

Since Writers Out Loud began in 2008, I’ve attended every month, mainly because reading aloud shows where faults lie and aids the rewriting process.  The primary side benefit has been meeting many delightful prose people, who’ve become friends, literary influences, and indispensable sources of feedback.  The Writers Out Loud ambience is relaxed; attendees bring cheese and crackers, soda, and home-made sweets to enjoy.  The first half hour gives us time to socialize and catch up on prior conversations.  I normally do a short reading, leading into Cocomo’s announcements and introduction of the evening’s readers.  After each person’s oration, the group acknowledges strengths and weaknesses.  One reading that moved me especially was Piyar Delerme’s, “Cornflower Blue,” which she’ll read this Thursday.  It’s a touching and delicately-phrased description of a brutal situation that made my arm hairs stand at attention.

As a resident of Middletown, I believe in supporting the community and its artistic folks and I am forever grateful for the opportunities Green Street provides.  Writers Out Loud has provided prose writers the chance to give voice to their fictions, their memories, their lives; I relish creating characters and situations but have also read memoirs about key friends in my life.  Most of all, though, I’ve enjoyed writing about my wife, Carol, in some 18 efforts, both fictional and non-fictional.  A few Writers Out Loud attendees have told me they want to meet her based on my readings.  Apparently, I’m developing the ability to touch people. That is my goal.

Submitted by Al Bower, Middletown resident and Green Street participant

Writers Out Loud: Cream of the Crop
Thursday, July 29, 2010 | 7pm
Regular Price $8; Member Price $5
For reservations call (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu.

Join the creative cast of Writers Out Loud in an evening of hand-picked readings by Middletown’s freshest up-and-coming prose authors.  The evening will culminate in the presentation of the Golden Kiss Award—make sure your vote is counted!  This event is dedicated to the memory of Janice M. Albert in celebration of her life and contributions to our creative community.

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

North End Nights with Floating Theater Company

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Floating Theater Company presents “In FTC InfoYour Face: Untamed and Unapologetic”

Thursday, July 15, 2010 7pm

Floating Theater Company returns to Green Street Arts Center of Wesleyan University for their annual staged reading of new plays by Connecticut writers. This year’s theme is IN YOUR FACE, works based on social and political topics. Please Note: Mature subject matter and language may not be suitable for children.

In these nine new short works, playwrights take on a variety of contemporary themes from corporate greed to gun control. The adult situations and language used in the works expand upon themes including the circus-like politics surrounding a women’s right to choose, labor and safety issues for American factory workers, and sexual identity and self-expression.

ReaderThe Floating Theater Company, with co-directors Jean Wertz and Jenny Lecce, provides support to playwrights and actively seeks to partner with existing theater companies and Connecticut actors in the development of new works.

Tickets are $8; Member Price $5. For tickets call (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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

Green Street’s 6th Annual Arts Fest: from Popcorn to “Pickles”

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Popcorn Arts Fest '10On Saturday, June 12th, the Green Street Arts Center was filled with excitement.  The 6th Annual Arts Festival took place and, despite the rain, was a great success.  With performances like “Pickles” from the Songwriting class and the debut of “Middletown: Our Town”, an animated video created by the Digital Animation class, the entertainment was energetic, captivating, and certainly inspiring.

Even before entering the building, the festival’s energy was already evident.  Teaching artist Anna had a line of eager kids waiting to get their faces painted, the neighborhood ice cream truck was popular as ever, and Frank was busily handing out free popcorn.  Upon entering Green Street, you could already smell delicious food provided by our partners at Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar, Iguanas Ranas Taqueria, and Firehouse Steakhouse.  Jerry’s Pizza had a table with free pizza that was always surrounded by hungry Arts Fest attendees.  Broad Street Books brought a great assortment of arts supplies and books, and DeFabrica Therapeutic Massage was very popular, constantly providing people with refreshing massages.

Arts Fest Drumming '10
Drumming at Arts Fest '10

After satisfying their hunger, guests could choose from a variety of amusements.  The African Drumming classes were set up in the Multipurpose Room, providing hours of rhythmic entertainment.  Adults and kids alike were invited to do arts and crafts in both the Wet and Dry Arts Rooms.  Meanwhile, across the hall in the Performance Studio there was constant action, with breakdancing, musical performances, salsa dancing, animated videos, hip-hop, and more, continuously provided enjoyment for an exuberant audience.

Students in the Breakdancing class staged a breakdance battle to showcase their unbelievable moves.  Young musicians displayed their talents in solo performances, as well as collectively in the Songwriting class’s amusing song “Pickles”.  The salsa class inspired the audience to move and grove to Latin beats, and the Digital Animation class highlighted their skills with a video called “Middletown: Our Town”.  ThoroEnergy also wowed the audience with a dramatic and engaging hip-hop performance.

Breakdancer
Breakdancing Battle

When Arts Fest ended, attendees left with smiles on their faces, students left with a sense of pride in their accomplishments, and the staff were pleased with the success of the event and happy to have made new friends.

For more great pictures of the event, check out our Facebook page here.

If you are interested in learning more about how your child can get involved in one of these (or other) great classes, call us at (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu. For more information on upcoming events and classes, visit our website at www.greenstreetartscenter.org.

Submitted by Lisa Bruno, Development Assistant

Arts Fest: Thoroughly Obsessed

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Arts Fest postcardGreen Street’s Annual Arts Festival is something I, and all of Green Street’s friends, look forward to each year.  This year’s Arts Fest will take place on Saturday, June 12 and is sure to be an afternoon filled with creativity, excitement, food, and fun.  ArtsFest is a great way for our students to showcase their hard work and successes throughout the year, and for the community to join us and participate in the fun as well.

This year features performances from Fresh Obsessed

Salsa Dancers
Salsa Dancers Arts Fest '09

breakdancing crew, ThoroEnergy hip hop crew, salsa students, and music classes.  I am especially excited for the West African Djembe Orchestra- a diverse group of people ages 7 to 57 from the After School program, adult class, and Cromwell Children’s Home residency program who will be performing together.  With the strong lead of teachers Jocelyn and Aaron, the group will rock out the beats of Lamban, Makru, and Yankadi.

For the first time, our outside attractions will include delicious food from partners in our membership program.  We are pleased to welcome Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar, Iguanas Ranas Taqueria, Jerry’s Pizza, Broad Street Books, and DeFabrica Therapeutic Massage to the festivities.

Painting Green Street
Facepainting Arts Fest '09

While enjoying live performances and great food, you will also be able to meander through the building to view the artwork, stop by a classroom for a free mini-class in Salsa or visual arts.  You can enter a raffle to win a free Green Street class or even plants from Starlight Gardens in Durham.  Don’t miss out on a chance to sign up for Summer classes right on the spot.

In addition to this scintillating array of amusements, mural artist Marela Zacarias will begin painting the new mural, designed by Green Street students, across the street at St. Vincent dePaul’s Place. All community members are welcome and encouraged to help out.

By the way, have I mentioned that all of this is free?  It is!  I hope to see you there!

Green Street Arts Festival & Open House
Saturday, June 12, 2010
1-3pm
FREE
51 Green Street, Middletown, CT 06457
www.greenstreetartscenter.org

Submitted by Rachel Roccoberton Griffin, Administrative Assistant

Volunteering at Green Street as a Vocation

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Jean & Biff offer snacks.

It wasn’t meant to be that way.

In 2005, Jean started volunteering at the after school program. At first thejob entailed helping with the snacks that are given to the children when they arrive, followed by assisting with the homework assignments. The hardest part was adjusting to the confusion, as 40-50 lively students hopped off the bus and were eager to begin another afternoon program at Green Street.  Anything beyond fourth grade mathematics was a challenge as they don’t teach it the way the Shaws were taught. After the dust settled (thanks to Cookie’s handling of the initial chaos… a distinctive and ever-present voice) things went more smoothly. The most rewarding part of this venture was making new friends and watching as the students grew and began to work together. Just a “please” or “thank you” was a big reward.

Reaching for "the regular."

It was in the fall of 2006 that Biff started to hang out with Jean … just to see what it was all about.  Little did he expect that a casual drop-by would become a regular part of the weekly calendar. Helping with snack was easy and sometimes fun.  Mentoring was hard and many times just plain boggling. Reading for comprehension was a challenge and adding and subtracting using one’s fingers or checkmarks on a page is a long way from rote learning done 70 years ago.

We persevered and the kids, while baffled by our inability to understand their way of learning, were really very patient with us – sometimes more patient than we were with them or with our own frustration.

It wasn’t until 2009, when a dedicated corps of Wesleyan students and others took charge of mentoring, did we hit our stride.  Since then we have concentrated on food “service” and service it has become. Special orders are the call of the day. The old “some like it hot – some like it cold” has become our signature. We have learned who likes only peanut butter on peanut butter and jelly days, and who prefers a turkey and cheese without cheese.  The students obviously appreciate it.  They show it in many ways and if we have gained nothing more than their respect and a semblance of good manners … we feel we have achieved our goals.

As a result, it really didn’t end up so much a vocation, as a labor of love.

Submitted by Jean and Biff Shaw, After School Volunteers

Even as we begin to wrap up the After School year, Green Street still relies heavily on its volunteers!  There are a number of After School and non-After School volunteering opportunities available.  If you are interested in getting involved, or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to email us at gsac@wesleyan.edu or call us at (860) 685-7871.  We hope to hear from you soon!