Art In Bloom-fundraising soirée for the Windsor Art Center

June 10th 2023 6pm-9pm

Join us for our garden themed event featuring live music, small plates, and silent auction!

Honoring: Marcia Hinckley, Sam Hinckley, and Andre Rochester

Location:

25 Central Street Windsor CT 06095

Tickets are limited, please RSVP by May 25th

TICKETS:$80 per pair$50 individual

An email confirmation will be emailed to you. There is no need to print out your ticket as your name will automatically be on the registration list at the door.

Attire: Semi Formal, Summer and garden themed outfits encouraged!

Meet the 2023 Honorees:

Marcia Hinckley holds a distinguished position as a founding board member. Her contributions to the organization have been invaluable, particularly in the realms of curatorial work and volunteer coordination. With her inspiring leadership, Marcia has worked closely with talented artists and dedicated volunteers, spearheading the curation of exhibitions, grant writing, coordinating receptions and panel discussions, and efficiently managing volunteer schedules. Her remarkable dedication and accomplishments have left a lasting impact on the Windsor Art Center.

Marcia, a native of Michigan, crossed paths with Sam, who hailed from western New York, during their time as students at the University of Michigan, coinciding with the height of the Civil Rights Movement. After marrying, they relocated to Connecticut in 1968. Marcia’s initial venture in their new home involved teaching 8th-grade English at L.P. Wilson Junior High School, a position she found deeply rewarding due to her affection for both the students and the profession.

However, her focus shifted to prioritizing parenthood when their daughter Sara was born in 1970, followed by the arrival of Jennifer two and a half years later. Marcia considered herself fortunate to be able to dedicate herself to being a stay-at-home mother while also teaching part-time pre-K music and movement. Moreover, she actively participated in numerous volunteer activities at Grace Church and the Windsor Historical Society. Marcia’s love for their dogs, reading, sewing, and playing tennis and the piano enriched her life. A significant turning point arrived when she embarked on a life-changing Master’s degree program at Trinity College. This journey culminated in 1991 with her intensive research and thesis writing on the history of African Americans in Windsor. Throughout the 1990s, Marcia taught English at Windsor High School before transitioning to a role as a school social worker in Hartford.

Retirement beckoned just in time for Marcia to join her husband Sam in pursuing his passion to continue the legacy of the Huntington House Museum. Collaborating with Lon and Jane Pelton, with Holly Pelton joining early on, as well as Ina Forman, Ann Parkhurst, and Pat Fahy, they embarked on the creation of the Windsor Art Center. This endeavor provided Marcia with remarkable experiences working alongside talented artists and dedicated volunteers, curating exhibitions, writing grants, coordinating receptions and panel discussions, and managing volunteer schedules. Hinckley says, “I’ve learned a lot and have treasured the experience and the phenomenal people I’ve gotten to know.”

Sam Hinckley is an esteemed community member and founder of Windsor Art Center. Throughout his involvement with the Windsor Art Center, he has held significant positions such as president of the board, providing exceptional leadership in development initiatives, and serving as a key member of the curatorial team.

Sam was born in western New York and attended the University of Michigan, where he met Marcy. He pursued a degree in Nuclear Engineering and eventually secured a job at Combustion Engineering in Windsor. In 1968, Sam and Marcy relocated to Windsor, where their two daughters, Sara and Jennifer, were born. After leaving ABB, the successor to Combustion Engineering, in 1990, Sam held positions at other power-related companies, but he was fortunate to remain in Windsor. He finds it astounding that the once-thriving Combustion Engineering site, which employed 4000 individuals, no longer bears any resemblance to its former state.

Apart from his involvement with the Windsor Art Center, Sam has dedicated the past 23 years to serving as the President of the non-profit First School Society. This organization owns and manages Palisado Cemetery and Riverside Cemetery. Sam’s outside interests encompass an active participation in long-distance bike riding, backpacking, and sailing. He possesses a profound interest in American Modernist art from the early 20th century, evident by the presence of several such paintings in his home. Around the year 2000, Sam embarked on his own artistic journey, exploring the world of painting, primarily focusing on watercolors. Approximately 10 years later, he transitioned to working with pastels and continues to do so today.

Andre Rochester is a fine artist, curator, and arts advocate from the Greater Hartford region of Connecticut. Over the past decade, he has made invaluable contributions to the Windsor Art Center, holding prominent positions such as vice president and chair of curatorial. His exceptional dedication and expertise have greatly enriched the organization’s endeavors.

Andre studied illustration at the University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts and completed his BA in Studio Art at Charter Oak State College. Andre’s artwork makes statements for which words may not be enough, highlighting underlying emotions connected to his subjects. It is a combination of portraiture and conceptual works linked by narratives of his own experiences. His art is a tool for healing and a catalyst for connection-letting people know they are not alone.

Andre is the Program Manager at The 224 EcoSpace, where he curates exhibits and oversees execution of arts events and programs, including the Artists of Color Accelerate Fellowship. He is also the Art Curator at UConn Health Center, responsible for managing and expanding a collection of over 2500 works of art across multiple facilities and organizing exhibits in the Celeste LeWitt Gallery. Andre also coaches emerging artists, encouraging them to develop their craft with a focus on professionalism and business acumen. He believes that with every step forward, we must make room for others to join us.

If you would prefer to mail a check, payment can be mailed to:

Windsor Art Center

40 Mechanic St. Windsor CT 06095

Consider becoming a sponsor! Learn more by clicking the button below.

WAC Sponsorship Package 2023 (2)

Dear Friends of the Arts,

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us for “Art In Bloom,” a fundraising soirée for the Windsor Art Center. Our garden- themed benefit event will be held on Saturday, June 10th 6pm at 25 Central Street in Windsor, CT.

Windsor Art Center is looking towards a new era of growth in cultivating the arts in our community. All proceeds from Art In Bloom directly support programs and cultural events, such as the annual members exhibition, Studios for Artists, educational programs, performances, and much more. We are only able to provide these programs and events with your generosity.

Join us in tribute to our honorees and as a sponsor for this season’s kick-off event.

Questions? Please contact 860-602-8319 or email smckay@windsorartcenter.org

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Sincerely,

Art In Bloom Host Committee