Cultural Arts Committee Is Ready To Present Findings

The Newtown Cultural Arts Ad Hoc Committee had its final meeting May 12. The committee has been meeting monthly for the past 18 months, gathering and discussing information on the national, state, and local levels on the benefit of the creation of a cultural arts commission in Newtown.

Members of the committee are Chairman Jennifer Johnston; co-chairperson/secretary Brigette Sorensen, and members Joe Grasso, Sherry Paisley, and Paula Stephan.

The group will present the body of its work to Newtown’s art-affiliated organizations at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 24, at Newtown Meeting House. The committee will share its findings with representatives of organizations that will benefit directly by the establishment of a Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

The final phase of the ad hoc committee’s work will be a presentation to the Board of Selectmen and the Legislative Council.

Members of the ad hoc committee varied backgrounds in the arts, and they believe that establishing a Cultural Arts Commission in Newtown would benefit various groups that are contributing to the cultural life of the town.

Various reasons were given by committee members for serving on this committee. Ms Johnson is interested in the potential location of a cultural arts center at Fairfield Hills. Mrs Paisley expressed the importance of having a town calendar of cultural events to avoid conflicts among organizations. Mrs Stephan and Mrs Sorensen cited their good fortune and exposure to many cultural events as children in their communities that promoted and supported all the arts. As a member of the group, Mr Grasso hopes to promote the artistic richness of Newtown as a whole.

After the work done by the committee, members hope town officials will see the importance of establishment of a permanent Cultural Arts Commission.