The Connecticut Office of the Arts has announced the grant recipients of the new Artists Respond program that funds community arts projects that engage community. Four Bridgeport-based artists,  Aisha Nailah, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Nate Barnes, and Rick Reyes were awarded $5000 to help fund future projects. 

The grants, according to the application guidelines on the COA website, are specifically intended for arts projects that take place in Connecticut and can “address a range of social issues such as equity and racial justice, community development, empowerment of LGBTQ communities, COVID-19/pandemic, mental health and other artist-centered initiatives that use the arts to inspire, empower, educate, and transform our Connecticut communities.”

Another round of the grants will open on Friday, October 1, 2021, through Wednesday, December 1, 2021. 

More Info.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, this article focuses on musician/videographer Rick Reyes and his project, Latin Americana. being supported by the $5000 Artists Respond Grant. Segments of this project are scheduled to be part of the 2021 Bridgeport Art Trail  (11/11-14/21) at the NEST Arts Factory where Rick has his music studio. The full Bridgeport Art Trail schedule will be posted in late October at www.bridgeport-art-trail.org

As a companion project to his musical endeavors for Latin Americana, Rick encouraged fellow NEST artist Elliana Mesa to present her first solo exhibit. Her painting studio is across the hall from Rick’s. Reyes says, "One of the benefits of having my studio in a community space like the NEST is that I am inspired by visual artists who have their working studios here". The October art exhibit "Painting My Demons" features Mesa’s large paintings. 

Rick explains Latin Americana. “As a musician, I perform folkloric Latin music, pop, folk, rock, and my original songs. I collaborate with artists of diverse backgrounds and find similarities of the human spirit and in the diverse musical genres. Latin Americana is an exploration of the commonalities and a celebration of the rich uniqueness of Latin music, American Folk Music, and Blue Grass.

The musical stories talk about jibaros and farmers, hardworking people who live off the land, their love, families, religion, etc. It's Hispanic as much as it’s American. I believe it’s a connection that has not been recognized enough”.

Reyes and fellow musicians are preparing for their next concert during the Bridgeport Art Trail at the NEST. It will be recorded and be part of a video documentary. They hope people will come out on Sat 11/13/21  to view the art in the NEST Arts Factory and then join them in the community room for Latin Americana. 

PechaKucha Night Bridgeport is a storytelling telling event for adults during the Bridgeport Art Trail annual open studios weekend on Sunday, Nov 14th at 6:00 PM.  LIVE IN PERSON and VIRTUALLY on YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM.

Hear authentic, true personal stories on the theme, "Reinvention + Discovery”. Quick-paced visual stories containing 20 images are told in 6 minutes and 40 seconds e!

Do you have a personal story you’d like to tell during PechaKucha Night Bridgeport? Send in your pitch HERE.

To watch previous stories, click HERE. 
For free tickets to attend live, click HERE. 

The Art Departments of Housatonic Community College and Paier College are looking for figure models for their painting and drawing classes in downtown Bridgeport.

Housatonic - three-hour classes.  $25.00 per hour. Call  203-332-5980 or contact tbrenner@hcc.commnet.edu

Paier -  three-hour and six-hour classes.  $13.50 per hour. Call 475-256-0762 or contact wjones@paier.edu. 

The Artists Respond grant program provides direct funding to Connecticut artists to pursue community-based projects that use the arts to respond to social issues, current events, and community needs.

Connecticut artists may apply for grant of either $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 to support artist fees associated with project activities. 

Projects must occur in Connecticut and may address a range of social issues such as:

• equity and racial justice;
• community development;
• empowerment of LGBTQ communities;
• COVID-19/pandemic;
• mental health;
• and other artist-centered initiatives that use the arts to inspire, empower, educate, and transform our Connecticut communities.

MALUMA is considered by specialized critics as one of the most impactful urban music artists in Latin America, winner of countless awards and recognitions in the world of music.

At just twenty-six years old, Juan Luis Londoño, better known by his stage name, ‘Maluma’, (composed of the first letters of the names of his mother, father, and sister), has become one of the Artists with the greatest impact on urban music and the youth idol of Latin music globally.

Ticket Info Here. 

Loosely based on the Connecticut Hip-Hop scene and the lives of the Savo Brothers, The Opener depicts the struggles of a local performer as he tries to make a name for himself. Locally filmed in Bridgeport, Milford, and Shelton with a full cast of CT natives.

Get TICKETS here 

"Til Love Do Us Part"

Hoping to live the honeymoon and avoid the burdens of marriage, Elizardi decides to simply move in with his girlfriend. But he soon discovers that while he may not have said those vows, he is certainly living them! The struggle is on to beat the odds and live happily ever after!

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Asbury Shorts USA, New York City's longest-running non-competitive short film exhibition and travel show, screens previously globally honored and premiering shorts at venues across the US and some international sites. Our short film "concerts" screen the best shorts in the world presented in a fast-paced, highly entertaining showcase specifically catered for thousands of folks who do not regularly seek out viewing of short films or attend film festivals.

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A night of world-class Burlesque and other entertainment featuring:

Gin Minsky, Perle Noir, Leona Star, Calamity Chang, Ricky Roman, Ricky Mestre, The Girl Spot and more! 

LionheART Bridgeport is an art space in loving memory of grandparents, Bonnie and Richard Bieder. lionheART combines Bonnie’s joy, laughter, and love of the arts with Richard’s humility, honesty, and sense of justice. lionheART offers free gallery openings for Connecticut artists, free weekly painting sessions for children and adults, and a free arts & social justice library.

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