CCA Names Vicinanza Among 2003 Distinguished Advocate Awardees

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Commission on the Arts (CCA) presented its Distinguished Advocates Awards to nineteen deserving individuals across the State on March 27 at the State Capitol. Among this year’s honorees was Newtown resident Faith Vicinanza.

“With these awards, the Commission on the Arts recognizes the remarkable work performed by volunteers in communities across Connecticut to increase public support for and participation in the arts,” said Douglas C. Evans, the executive director of CCA.

“These individuals are really the foundation upon which many of our successful cultural organizations are built, and their dedication and support is invaluable,” he continued. Nominations for Distinguished Advocates for the Arts Awards were solicited from arts and cultural organizations and the public.

Mrs Vicinanza was a past vice-president and past president of Connecticut Poetry Society (CPS), is the founder and editor of The Connecticut Poet newsletter and is a Master Teaching Artist in Poetry for the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.

Ms Vicinanza is also the founder and executive director of the CT Poetry Festival, and PoetTs, Inc – a collective of poets and teachers who develop and deliver writing programs for young writers. She has donated her time to support CPS functions for over ten years, and to develop and deliver poetry programs around the state.

In addition, her Wednesday Night Poetry Series held in Bethel is in its eighth year. It runs 48 weeks a year and has given a platform to poets from ages 10 to 90.

Distinguished Advocate Awards were also presented this year to Michael Forte of Cheshire, Marcia Heath of Coventry, Lois Fern Hamilton of Greenwich, Richard “Dick” Grossi of Hamden, Richard Booth of Hartford, George David of Hartford, Ellen Jarus Hanley of Milldale, Jim Burbank of Mystic, Dr Theodore H. Johnson of New Britain, Dr Richard Judd and Nancy Judd of Hartford, Terry Dagradi and Lorraine F. Roseman of New Haven, Helen Kauder of New Haven, Melanie Greenhouse of Noank, Grace Shanley or Norwalk, Charlotte Danly Jackson of Old Lyme, and Marianne Liberatore of Weston.