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Friday, January 3, 2020

"Week in Review". Dec 29, 2019 - Jan 3, 2020

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I was away for much of the week, but nonetheless it is still Friday and time to wrap things up. The holidays are over and the new year
has begun.
In the past week, Amy Seham reminded us again of her collaborative relationship with her theater production of "Top Girls" (I think Top Girls might have also been part of Women in the Arts Month Long Celebration) with Roberta Chambers.  Amy also recognized herself in a photo with a number of other artists collaborating in the PHASSION SHOW which was part of the  the Arts of March Festival sponsored by Channel 8 at the old WT Grants Building on Chapel Street in the 9th Square.  So thanks Amy for continuing to share your memories and thoughts about these early days for all of us. Your written recall is always valued here in the Archive.

Louisa Calio has been active about infusing the archive with all the ways in which City Spirit Artists pushed boundaries and developed community engagement in New Haven's neighborhoods. I am interested to learn more specifics from those of you that were active members of this group. Personal memories, photos and stories will help to create connections. I am currently left with a lot of questions and wonder what is filling the void left by the end of that arts organization. Also makes me wonder how the office of cultural affairs and Bob Gregson's work interfaced with City Spirit Artists (if they did... ).

So hopefully these stories will unfold and reveal more important community history.

For the archive itself, we are just over a month old and seem to be doing very well in terms of sustaining a supportive environment for developing connected materials. That being said I am feeling the need to discuss an eventual "decision making committee". We have over thirty people who have been invited to the group (by other members) or have requested membership. I am certainly interested in being as inclusive as possible but also concerned about keeping the experiences of connecting and sharing safe and personal. I will also want to make sure I am not the only one supporting the activity here in the group... Nothing to do about it right now.. but I did want to bring it up.

For the next week or so... I will be working full time on refining materials for the New Haven Museum related to PMVI. That show should open soon in New Haven and will create an opportunity for the museum and it's audience to develop curiosity in other artists and art activities who were active in the local arts community during and following that time period. This archive will help us to demonstrate the important role so many played in the previous decades of creativity, collaboration and community development. Thanks again to everyone who was able to be here with us this week. See you next week...

Normally I take weekends off but given all the time I was gone this week and the work I have to prepare I may be here this weekend... Bev