City Lauds Director, Community Foundation for Arts Contributions

Editor's Note: Cassandra Day is Vice Chair of the City's Arts Commission.

Fifty individuals gathered Tuesday in the lobby of city hall to honor an individual and group for their contributions to Middetown's lively arts scene to mark Arts Advocacy Day with the arts commission.

Annually, the Middletown Commission on the Arts lauds those who have significantly contributed to the city’s cultural and artistic enrichment and shown extraordinary support and initiative for the arts. Tuesday's event coincided with National Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., April 8-9, when arts supporters remind legislators of the importance of the arts.

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew presented proclamations to director, teacher and playwright Carolyn Kirsch and the Community Foundation of Middlesex
County.

April 13, he said, is to be observed in the city as Carolyn Kirsch Day.

For 16 years, The CFMC has worked to ensure the region is a vibrant, thriving area that supports a broad range of services, including the arts.

Cynthia H. Clegg, president and CEO of the CFMC, accepted the award, as Drew proclaimed April 10 Middlesex County Community Foundation Day in the city.

Kirsch appeared in 15 Broadway musicals over a 21-year period. During that time, she worked extensively for director/choreographers Michael Bennett and Bob Fosse. As a member of the Original Company of “A Chorus Line,” she was the recipient of a Theatre World Award.

Founding member of the MCA and past chair Joyce Kirkpatrick rededicated the MCA display case in city hall to 23-year arts commissioner and city design review and preservation board member, the late Patricia Evans, for her lifelong support of the MCA.

Patricia Evans, Kirkpatrick said, was a professional interior architect. "Her fine hand is evident in the remodeling of interior spaces in Middletown at Liberty Bank, South Congregational Church, Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue."

"Under her leadership over 50 works of art were added to the Collection from such artists as John Risley, J. Seeley, Adele Johnson, John Frazer, and, more recently, Robin Price. She also instituted the MCAAAA – Middletown Commission on the Arts Annual Art Award, which is presented annually to a graduating senior from one of the Middletown high schools for a work of art.  

The commission also unveiled its newly redesigned City Art Collection Catalogue, comprising art the city has purchased or accepted as donation since its founding in 1977. Members of the public are encouraged to pick one up in city hall for a self-guided tour.

What did you think of the event and of the contributions of the commission's honorees? Tell us in the comments.