Harwinton & Thomaston Groups Receive Grants for the Arts

Hartford, CT – State Senator Jason Welch (R-Bristol) and Representative John Piscopo (R-Thomaston) along with First Selectmen Ed Mone of Thomaston and Michael Criss of Harwinton would like to congratulate the Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston and the Farmington Valley Chorale, Inc. for receiving grants for the Arts from the State of Connecticut.

“It is wonderful news that Thomaston and Harwinton were selected to receive this grant funding,” said Rep. Piscopo.  “These resources will go a long way in supporting the organizations that provide our residents with opportunities to enjoy and participate in the Arts.”

“These grants will allow our community to continue enjoying these wonderful enrichment programs,” said Sen. Welch.

The Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston will receive a $25,000 Arts Catalyze Placemaking Grant for arts leadership. This category requires partnerships, develops community engagement and positions the arts in a leadership role. Since its inception in 1996, the vision of the Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston has been to create an organization dedicated to promoting the varied expressions of creativity in the realm of fine arts.

One focus of this vision is to expose adults and children alike to the many diverse forms of art that exist in and around Thomaston, CT such as theater, music, dance, writing, painting, photography and many more.

Thomaston First Selectman, Ed Mone said, “I too would like to congratulate FACT (Fine Arts Connection Thomaston) on receiving this grant award. FACT provides a diversity of offerings in the area of the arts to the residents of Thomaston and the surrounding area and has done so for many years. Most notably, a concert series is provided at a local park free of charge every summer that exposes the young and old alike to various genres of music. They have recently established the “Crescent Gallery” located in the Thomaston Town Hall where graphic art, created by local artists, is on display and also serves as an area for other cultural events. They are a vital part of our community. “

The Farmington Valley Chorale, Inc based in Harwinton will be receiving a $3,077.98 Arts Catalyze Placemaking Grant for supporting arts in place.  This category awards matching grants to eligible arts organizations and municipal arts offices to strengthen the state’s nonprofit arts industry. The Farmington Valley Chorale is a singing group of more than 80 men and women, including students, who are committed to bringing quality choral music to the local area.

They present two concerts each season with a professional orchestra and soloists.  As part of the group’s community outreach program, they perform concert selections for residents of local nursing homes and hold “sings-ins” during community celebrations.  No auditions are required – only a love of music and the desire to sing with others who share a passion for performing the classical choral music repertoire.

Harwinton First Selectman, Michael Criss said, “I would like to congratulate The Farmington Valley Chorale, Inc. on receiving their grant award. Keeping the arts alive in any community can be challenging and the Chorale group has managed to keep themselves very much alive. I commend them all on their hard work and dedication to the arts and to the communities, in which, they are a vital part of.  We can only hope that the public continues to support such a talented group.”

The grant programs are funded by the state appropriation to The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA), and funds received by DECD/COA from the National Endowment for the Arts.