Small Business Spotlight: Middletown Art Academy

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Middletown Art Academy
• Owners: Rusa D’Alessandro
• Website: www.MiddletownArtAcademy.com
• Address: 508 Main Street Suite 3
  
  

How did you come up with the name?
Brainstorming

Why start a business in this town?
Because we live, raise family, work and play in this city that has personal family history and santi mental value.

What business are you in?

“Traditional fine art education.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Where do I start?

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

Being able to continue contributing to beautification process of our town. Seeing happy tears of young students who dream to become an artist, over the simple fact that we exist. Watching returning students and other from their families enrolling in our classes, workshops etc and grow with us. Middletown Art Academy is the town’s art sanctuary for all ages where like minded, passionate and creative individuals come to fuel their passion. They learn , improve and straighten art skills & knowledge. This is where students become inspired and encouraged. Been able to provide a space that offers all that and more for others well been, health, education!

How does your business give back to the community?

We pay it forward to our community with hands on activities; all aspects of visual arts in town and surrounding areas. We offer an “Art Angel” scholarship/art competition. We organize and host fundraising events throughout the year and all raised funds pay for less privileged children of Middletown to be able to attend art lessons with free and reduced tuition and books, with supplies covered. We are part of Annual Art Walk, UN International Women’s Day, UN WORLD Water Day, Middletown Music Festival, NEAT= North End Action Team, Durham Fair, Wesleyan University Annual “The Big Draw”, just to name a few. We help curated many art shows in town annually. We work closely with other local schools, institutions, groups and organizations by donating and providing our educational and recreational fine art services. We offer affordable art educational workshops, lectures, group discussion, lessons, programs. We hold a free open studio annually and frequently throughout the year. We always focus on connecting the public to fine art, art educators and artists!

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.