We Are Here
We Are Here: Community Engagement Series
The in person events in this series have been completed. Online participation opportunities will be announced soon. A final report of data collected from this program will be made publicly available online.
As part of the Town of Windsor’s Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program, Windsor Art Center invites the community to participate in an open, interactive free public listening session and to participate in a facilitated community conversation, providing ideas for future expanded programming initiatives at the intersection of the arts and downtown revitalization.
Facilitated by Tarishi Midnight Shuler, the beginning of the program will feature performances by highlighted musicians and spoken word. Highlighted musicians include Tang Sauce and Quinn Mitchell. Welcoming hospitality including light snacks and beverage with the chance to connect with others in the greater arts community.
This initiative is presented by Windsor Art Center in partnership with First Town Downtown and Windsor Adult Education. Made possible in part through the Town of Windsor’s Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program, and supported by the Windsor Recreation Department. Our programs are made possible through the generous donations of individuals like you. Please consider making a donation today.
Join us as we look forward to supporting the arts in our community together!
Program Schedule:
Hour One: Music performances, lights snacks and beverage, social hour
Hour Two: Facilitated community conversations on the arts
Meet our facilitator and spoken word artist:
Award winning American Artist Tarishi “M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T.” Shuler altered the status quo of the spoken word art scene by presenting an ingenious style of delivery using clever metaphors and a dance between two dimensional storylines.
Resonating with audiences nationwide, by 2011, Tarishi had begun dominating stages with his dramatic performances taking home numerous awards year after year and raising the bar for his counterparts. Often abrupt, always gracefully delivered yet playfully unfiltered, his poetry hangs in an intrinsic balance of raw truth and art imitating life.
Among his many accolades, Tarishi has opened for notable individuals such as Saul Williams, Grammy nominated Neo-Soul Artist Dwele, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, Def Jam Comedian Talent and former US President Bill Clinton. In 2020, he shared a staged with Omari Hardwick at Da’ Poetry Lounge in Los Angeles, California.
A native of Connecticut, you can find Tarishi modeling, acting, body building, teaching or directing while also discovering new audiences in stages close to home, and as far as Tokyo, Japan.
Highlighted Musicians:
Can’t make it in person, but would like to participate in the conversation on visions for the arts in your community?
An online survey will be publicly available online for those who are not able to participate during the in-person listening session. Results will be culminated and publicly available on our website.
Background:
Windsor Art Center believes in the power of the arts to produce a more vibrant and equitable community. We strive to ensure that all constituents and visitors to the Art Center have access to the arts.
We see this as a critical step in re-energizing the arts in our community. This program will not only inspire residents to engage with the arts, but provide valuable insight and data to the arts community moving forward with strategic planning. This neighborhood-wide activity will offer 3 events within this series to provide the greatest access to constituents. The events will be hosted in two locations (Wilson Location To be confirmed and Windsor Art Center) as well as online routes of participation.
Like other industries, the impact of COVID-19 has been devastating to CT’s arts and cultural sector. The sector has lost millions of dollars in revenue from ticket sales, program income and cancelled fundraising events. “CT Arts Alliance data derived from local surveys conducted by Designated Regional Service Organizations shows $24 million in lost revenue between March and April due to closing.” The state’s arts and cultural organizations are very diverse, made up of museums, performing arts centers, theaters, galleries, community festivals, individual artists and more. Windsor Art Center is part of this broader community, and is honored to have the opportunity to partner with the town in letting the community know, “We are here”.
FAQ’s:
Who can attend? All who work, play, create, or stay in the Windsor, CT area.
Are the facilities wheelchair accessible? Yes
Can I make a donation to support the Windsor Art Center?
Why, yes you can!
This program is presented by Windsor Art Center in partnership with First Town Downtown and Windsor Adult Education.
This program is made possible through the support of the Town of Windsor’s Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program. Support is provided by Windsor Recreation Department.
For more information, please email Windsor Art Center at info@windsorartcenter.org or call us at 1-860-688-2528.
Our office hours are limited, so please allow time for a response to your voicemail.
Enrich. Engage. Elevate.