This Week in Westville:  
Kim Weston Artist Talk @Mitchell Library, Second Saturdays @West River Arts, Big Fall Hike With FOEP +More!
November 8, 2021, The New Haven Independent, by Brian Slattery- "The ceremony for the Arts Council of Greater New Haven’s 41st annual arts awards returned to being an in-person event on Friday, as people gathered at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern Connecticut State University to honor several of New Haven’s artist educators: Miguel Gaspar Benitez, James and Tia Russell Brockington, Allen “Dooley-O” Jackson, Linda Lindroth, Patrick Smith, and Bill Brown and Sally Hill. The evening began with a performance by Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental, performing the bomba, a traditional Puerto Rican dance and drumming style with its roots in resistance to slavery. Founder Kevin R. Diaz explained that the drumming style is based on two essential elements: one drummer holds down a steady pattern while another drummer improvises off that pattern. It combines with the dancing in the sense that the improvising drummer and the dancer are in communication with one another; they have a conversation in the patterns the drummer plays and the movements the dancer makes..." Click HERE to comment and read full article.
October 29. 2021, The New Haven Independent, by Maya McFadden- "Edgewood School seventh-grader Rya imagined a green cat, a purple moon, and yellow eyeball, then put a marker to paper. Rya’s project was put on display along with several other student pieces at Edgewood Avenue’s BLOOM community center Thursday for a celebration of Hispanic heritage. Rya’s master piece on display was much like herself; colorful, random, and detailed, she said. The class’s projects were inspired by the Spanish painter Joan Miró. They used lines, shapes, bright colors, and symbols to create their designs. BLOOM Owner Alisha Crutchfield-McLean partnered with Edgewood art teacher Deborah Platt to bring the whimsical art show together Thursday. The Edgewood School community joined with dozens of BLOOM regulars to view the student art and learn about Hispanic heritage. Thursday was not the first time Rya had her art put on display in a gallery. She described her piece on display at BLOOM as a “freestyle” of whatever came to her mind at the time.
Her mom Caryl Williams was proud to see her daughter’s art in a fifth art show, this time right in their neighborhood, a block from the school. Williams recalled the mom and daughter time spent with Rya making art as a toddler. She would buy brushes, canvases, and paint from the dollar store and make art with her daughter using nonconventional tools from home. “Those days of keeping busy paid off,” Williams said..." Click HERE to comment and read full article.
Kim Weston artist talk and exhibition at Mitchell Library in Westville. From the artist: "I think it’s really important to bring work to this forums. The library reminds me of the kitchen when family comes over. Everyone gathers in the kitchen and share stories, some funny and some so important that it needs to be added to the family achieve. The Library is central to the community and acts as a vessel of information and history. Please stop by and bring your children."

Mitchell Library, 37 Harrison Street, (203) 946-8117
Come join us at West River Arts + Lotta Studios for the second saturday on November 13, as we open our art studio doors to the public and welcome viewers + art buyers in!

If you have been to one of our Second Studios you know it is a warm, and inspiring day of community.

West River Arts is upstairs! Lotta Studios is downstairs, if you haven't already come and check out the new space!
ANNUAL BIG FALL HIKE IN
EDGEWOOD PARK

Sunday, November 14th, 1 - 3 pm
Edgewood Park Gazebo
Celebrating Edgewood’s Trees

Meet at Edgewood Park’s gazebo, close to the corner of Whalley & West Rock Avenues. We will walk a complete circuit around the park (close to two miles).

On the way, while enjoying the fall weather, we’ll hear from Chris Ozyck of Urban Resources Initiative (URI) about the park’s incredible assortment of trees, from oaks to willows, cedars to fruit bearing. Chris will tell us about their ecological value, how some are succumbing to rising water levels, and how the trees themselves can help to mitigate the effects of climate change. We will end back at the gazebo with a snack of cider and fresh donuts.

Join your neighbors, invite your friends. Appropriate for all ages Friendly dogs on leashes are welcome

Call 203-500-7777 or email friendsofedgewoodpark@gmail.com
for more information.
Westville Village Renaissance Alliance | 911 Whalley Avenue | (475) 355 7654 | wvra@westvillect.org |
A Connecticut Main Street Program