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April 28, 2007
The Unquowa School Gala, 2007
I swung by the Unquowa School Saturday night (April 28, 2007) to check on their annual gala. I always like stopping by Unquowa, in part because everyone is so friendly there, and in part because it's also my son's alma mater. I was glad to see that Mrs. Gray, the art teacher, was still there.
Here are some pictures:
Marcie Lapido and Joan Panagos, who chaired the event
Joan Panagos, Marcie Lapido, Karen Brownlow and Monica Murray. Karen and Monica operate the UPA -- kind of like a PTA, but with a "U".
Holly Tortora, the reading teacher, and Sarah and Chris Dzilinski, all of Fairfield. Sarah teaches kindergarten.
Parents Cathy Buckley of Trumbull and Robin Richtarich, of Fairfield.
Sara Greenawalt, Fairfield, and Leslie Miller, Westport, check out the food table.
The gentleman who's holding court on the right is Jack Blessington, the Pope of Unquowa. He's been headmaster a couple times. At center is Rosemarie Sullivan, the science teacher. Tim Murphy is on the left.
Sharon Siegel and Alice Lulka, ready for the live auction.
Debbie Meno, Easton, PE teacher LaVern Burton and Lynne Martone, Fairfield.
Posted by john on 9:43 PM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2007
Prison Art Show in Bridgeport
If there was ever a group of people in America who deserve more of our compassion, it's the prison population.
Americans are quick to say "Lock 'em up and throw away the key," or "Send them all to the gas chamber." Politicians, eager for votes, are given to the same tired slogans -- that is. until they wind up in the slammer themselves. Spiro T. Agnew and John Rowland are two that come to mind; there are many others.
In short, they are a group of human beings with no advocates.
From May 3 through May 19, the City Lights Gallery on Markle Court in Downtown Bridgeport will have an exhibit that should not be missed -- the annual Prison Arts Progam show. This is the first time in the show's 29 years that it's made it to Bridgeport, or even Fairfield County, for that matter.
The reception is on Thusday, May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. Markle Court is a tiny street that runs south from State Street, adjacent to the Playhouse on the Green.
Here's a short video clip featuring Jeffrey Greene, the energetic director of the program, who talks about the show, and offers a little history of the group that sponsors it, which dates back to 1875.
Below are some works that will be in the show.
Greene told me that the art effort was the only such program from the outside that forces inmates to come to grips with their crimes, and to take responsibility for what they have done. "We teach each one of them that they are in control of that piece of paper in front of them -- that they are in control of their lives. The religious programs don't do that."
Posted by john on 11:03 PM
