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| Mary DeCroce, SoCCA Executive Director |
In just six months, the Southington Community Cultural Arts Center has exceeded our expectations, emerged as one of Connecticut’s premier arts centers, said SoCCA Executive Director, Mary DeCroce, noting the invaluable proactive role of residents of Southington and beyond in its success. “SoCCA has sustained itself without dipping into its ‘nest egg’, a prerequisite instituted by the Town to safeguard its future.”
The initial plan of six years ago was for each space to produce income. That has become a reality. The diverse handiwork of 50 artists is offered in the Artisans’ Gift Shop, attracts frequent visitors often leaving with a unique gift. Seating sixty comfortably, the Hopko Performance Hall is booked through 2017 for various art exhibits. Local residents, Eric Korp and Aman Herron, are starting a First Friday Drum Circle on April 7th.
“The room has hosted bridal showers, birthday and retirement parties such as the thrilling celebration of Eldon Hafford’s retirement from Bread for Life, the Church Women United’s annual luncheon and local board meetings.” DeCroce said.
“The room has hosted bridal showers, birthday and retirement parties such as the thrilling celebration of Eldon Hafford’s retirement from Bread for Life, the Church Women United’s annual luncheon and local board meetings.” DeCroce said.
Upstairs, five studio are rented to local artists: a violin instructor, acrylic painter, calligraphist, photographer, and caricature/cartoonist. Two classrooms offer instruction in painting, collage, drawing, clay building, fabric art and loom weaving, throughout the day and evening, for people aged 3 and up. Thirty registered for classes in October. In March, seventy registered.
A long-awaited pottery studio opened in January with 10 wheels for throwing clay, 3 kilns, a glazing station, and area for handbuilding, an ancient ceramic technique in continued use today, often producing exciting creations. SoCCA’s is one of only six studios in the state offering its level of instruction and is believed to be the only arts center with a wheelchair accessible pottery wheel!
“We currently offer six different pottery classes for ages 8 and older. Local resident, Robert Riggs, who has taught and managed Wesleyan Potters for over 20 years, is a perfect partner of SoCCA as its Pottery studio manager and teacher.”
Proud of its All Access program, teaching creative skills to adults with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential and open social connections to community and life skills,
SoCCA has received grants from such sources as the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust through the Main Street Community Foundation. Participants sell their art products in the SoCCA store and participate in venues throughout the state, including the Apple Harvest Festival and the Big E. The rapidly growing program now serves adults from The Arc of Southington, those transitioning out of Southington H.S. involved in the STELLAR program, and various DDS (CT Dept of Developmental Services), groups from as far as Torrington, Thomaston and Watertown.
A continuing flow of visitors speak about how needed the Southington Arts Center has proven to be. So say Board members and staff who are amazed at the splendid renovation of Florian Properties, turning a building in deep disrepair into a jewel for our downtown area.
Hitting the ground running, SoCCA is on its way to fulfilling its mission, having created a unique environment where people of all ages, experience, and abilities can imagine, create, exhibit, and welcome the arts into their lives.
The talented and wondrous Marjorie Low, still going strong as Southington's eldest painter and artist at age 96, has a large collection of her life's work and new work on exhibit at SoCCA.
Low has talents as a writer and other artistic media as well and a special passion for gardening with a unique garden at Spring Lake.
The talented and wondrous Marjorie Low, still going strong as Southington's eldest painter and artist at age 96, has a large collection of her life's work and new work on exhibit at SoCCA. Low has talents as a writer and other artistic media as well and a special passion for gardening with a unique garden at Spring Lake.
Notable SoCCA events in April: First Friday Drum Circle, April 7, from 7 to 9 pm. Ages 18 and older. Follow the leader in drumming or bring your own percussion instruments. SACA (Southington Arts and Crafts Assn) Open 96-year olJuried Show: reception, refreshments and on Sunday, April 9 from 1 to 3 pm with awards by Open Juror Jim Laurino. View works throughout the month of Southington’s most active arts association, 60 years young and going strong.Sixty-year-old SACA’s work of all mediums will be exhibited throughout the month. Stop in and listen to SoCCA’s monthly musical on April 21 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm with Blackberry Pines performance of bluegrass, country, and folk, from artists like Patti Griffin, Gillian Welch and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Doors open 7 pm. $10/pp. Pottery demonstration hosted by SACA Thursday, April
26 at 6:30 pm.
26 at 6:30 pm.
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| DeCroce takes a moment at the microphone |
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