Rep. Piscopo Visits I-Park Foundation
Key Takeaways
- Rep. Piscopo highlights local arts and conservation during I-Park visit
- Lawmakers promote community-led cultural initiatives and outdoor stewardship
- Visit underscores support for nonprofits boosting regional tourism and education
- Officials call for state backing of arts programs and land conservation
State Representative John Piscopo recently toured the I-Park Foundation in East Haddam as part of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s (CBIA) latest legislator tour, which highlighted the intersection of art, nature, and community engagement.
Rep. Piscopo was joined by State Representatives Irene Haines and Devin Carney and CBIA’s Jenna Grasso for an in-depth look at the foundation’s work. The group was warmly welcomed by I-Park co-founders Ralph Crispino and Joanne Paradis, along with board member Gretchen Teran, who guided the legislators through the organization’s 450-acre property and showcased its internationally recognized artists-in-residence program.
The visit underscored the vital role that state funding for arts and tourism plays in supporting programs like I-Park, which attract creative talent from around the world and contribute to Connecticut’s cultural and economic vitality. Rep. Piscopo noted that the foundation’s efforts to engage young people and raise awareness of art and design are particularly inspiring and serve as an excellent example of how investment in the arts can have a lasting community impact.