Programs

The ArtEcon Initiative presents: Community Arts Programming @ KLG

Artist Talks & Conversations

Semi Semi-Dikoko speaks with KLG artist, Edith Borax-Morrison, about her latest exhibit.

Weekend Workshops

Gar Waterman helps participants sculpt a scarab during his workshop "BEETLEmania"

Story Hours

Every third Sunday, join us for a story, song and art activity for all ages!

Frank Bruckmann plays "I-Spy" with preschoolers during class visit.

Penrhyn + Rod Cook speak about their exhibit "Vanishing"

Class Visits

Penrhyn Cook answers questions from a group of preschoolers during class visit.

Story-Telling

Westville-based musician and artist, Thabisa Rich, leads story-telling event for all ages.

Monthly Story Time

Families gather after the story to create. Projects led by Muffy Pendergast.

Roy Money and Brian Flinn discuss their exhibitions.

Acclaimed playwright, director and actor Toto Kisaku leads his "Le Petit Studio," a theater workshop for kids 8-12.

A mom helps kids create costumes during Toto Kisaku's, "Le Petit Studio"

Star of the play prepares for his debut! During Toto Kisaku's, "Le Petit Studio"

Community Discussions

A panel of environmental experts discuss what can be done to fight climate change.

Family Concerts

Sunny Train performs for a full house!

Sunny Train @ KLG

Family Concerts

The first in a series, stay tuned!

The ArtEcon Initiative, Inc. is a neighborhood-based non-profit established in 2016 by a small group of neighborhood stakeholders. An outgrowth of ArLoW (ArtLoftsWest), New Haven's only affordable artist housing development, ArtEcon seeks to expand ArLoW's mission by supporting, developing, and producing accessible community arts programming for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with ArLoW residents, tenants, and their neighbors. The artists at Kehler Liddell Gallery (KLG) are honored to be the first collaborators on, and provide a first home to, ArtEcon's inaugural project: Westville-West Rock Community Arts Programming.

Historically, KLG artists have hosted programs in conjunction with their exhibitions. Such programs were often charged by the excitement of cross-disciplinary collaborations, such as projects with musicians, theater troupes, filmmakers and authors. However – aside from during a few years of the gallery's history – programs were intermittent and sporadic. The artists @ KLG were eager to expand upon this side to the gallery, and to develop regularly scheduled community arts programs and events for all ages. The opportunity to partner with ArtEcon was kismet.

The inaugural year of Westville-West Rock Community Arts Programming (2017) included such programs as: monthly story-time/story-telling events; family movie nights and concerts; class visits (preschool - high school) with exhibiting artists; weekend workshops for young people and their adults; as well as artist talks, community discussions, technical workshops, and demos for adults. An apprenticeship program was established for students seeking to gain experience in a retail gallery. Programs were facilitated by KLG artists, as well as other local and regional artists and professionals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit: www.ArtEconInitiative.org.

Programs made possible with support from the City of New Haven's Mayor's Community Arts Grants Programs.