Aldrich Museum Receives $5,000 Grant For High School Arts Program

By SUE EVANUSKA

Published: Feb 26, 2001 12:00 am

RIDGEFIELD â The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art has received a grant from the Albert W. and Helen C. Meserve Memorial Fund in support of âArt Lab,â an intensive program for juniors and seniors in high school intending to pursue the visual arts at college and beyond.

This is the first grant the museum has received for the program, which started as a pilot project in the fall of 1999. âArt Labâ is about to begin its fourth semester, with students participating from Danbury, Redding, Newtown, Darien, Ridgefield, Shelton, New Milford, Bridgeport and Greenwich.

Students meet weekly with the museumâs curator of education and other art professionals to explore facets of the art world through museum studies, gallery trips, studio visits and group critiques. âArt Labâ gives students the opportunity to explore issues in contemporary art, focus on possible career paths, and investigate their creative potential.

Students who have participated for more than one semester will again organize of their own work at Thirteen, a gallery located in Danbury. The exhibition is scheduled to open in May.

Established in 1983, The Meserve Memorial fund is a private foundation that supports a range of public, charitable and educational projects and organizations that have on impact on the greater Danbury area.

A nationally recognized arborist during his lifetime, Albert Wadsworth Meserve was known locally as a prominent businessman and active volunteer in civic and charitable activities throughout the greater Danbury area. His wife, Helen Clark of New Milford, was for many years a secretary to Frank H. Lee of Lee Hat Company, and served as a volunteer at Danbury Hospital.

Both died in 1978 and their wills jointly established the Meserve Memorial Fund to serve as a legacy and perpetuate their interest in charitable programs of the region.

The $5,000 grant received by the Aldrich will be used to help support three semesters of âArt Labâ by helping to pay for guest artists and off-site learning laboratories.

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My darling, You were the best GRANDmother a child could ask for. You created so many great memories & traditions that I have passed down to your Great grandchildren. You brought joy into every room you stepped into. Your laughter, singing, whistling and the signature Rockettes high kicks, is something I will always hold in my heart. There was something about walking into your home and being greeted by your beautiful face. *kiss on each check* followed by HELLOOOOOO Darling! The classical music playing softly in the background and your love and comfort made your home, a safe space. Somewhere, where love knew no boundaries. It was so much more than a home. I aim for the same in my home, and play the classic music 24/7, but it will never be the same. I pray I can be 1/4 of GRAND, you put in GRANDmother. You were so resilient. You found the positive in every situation. I look up to you so much. I remember begging Mom and Dad for years to change my name to “Carmen”. They didn’t officially change my name, but eventually started calling me “Carmenita” as I am a little you. THE HONOR. You were there for me, no matter the day or hour. You were always the one who would talk me through whatever hard situation I was going through. When my baby passed away, I refused to talk to anyone for 3 weeks. Except for you. You said to me “Better days are coming, babes. There’s always a rainbow after the storm”. Of course, you were right, because you are GRAND. I picture you in heaven dancing and laughing with him. Uncle Jay playing the money game with him. To know you are with your children again & with mine does bring me some joy. Twas the night before Christmas & New Year’s Eve, will never be the same. Another tradition you created. A memory that will last forever. Not just with me, but for generations to come. It may not be the same, but we won’t let it die. It will live on, in your name. To be your first GRANDchild was a blessing. I could write an entire book about you & all the amazing things about you. Even though we were robbed of time together & it makes me angry, I know I will see you again. This isn’t a goodbye, but a “see you later”. Just like we ended every phone call. Ciao, darling. I love you. MWAH MWAH! Love your GRANDchild, Kimberly aka Carmenita

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To add context that did not occur at the meeting would not be an accurate representation of the meeting and would, in fact, be editorializing to shape public opinion. The editorial staff here do not consider ourselves to be final arbiters of what the truth is (and if we did, it would make us partisan and biased), and we would need to provide a source for any dissenting information (sourcing all information in an article is literally Journalism 101). There were no such sources present at the meeting in question, and so it would not be appropriate to include such information in an article about the meeting. Dissenting voices appear in meeting stories when there were active participants with dissenting opinions, such as during public participation or the words of a council member who disagreed. It should be noted that the Interfaith Council, like many local boards and commissions, conduct meetings that are open to the public. This was not an article on the actions of the Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants, or on immigrants, or on ICE's actions in the community, where including other voices or perspectives would be appropriate. We appreciate your opinion, but we stand by our meeting coverage and consider this discussion closed.

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Aldrich Museum Receives $5,000 Grant For High School Arts Program

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