Norwalk Art Space To Open In June With Outdoor Music Festival

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk Art Space, a cultural hub showcasing the talents of up-and-coming area artists, will officially open its doors to the community in June, complete with an outdoor music festival and other events.

On June 5 and 6, the art space will present live music in its sculpture garden from a wide variety of musicians, curated by Music Director David DeJesus.

Canyon Sharits, the space manager and director of communications, said the space originated from the vision of founder Alexandra Davern Korry, a lawyer, educator, civil rights advocate, philanthropist and local arts supporter who died in September. The building, located at 455 West Avenue, is named the ADK House in her honor.

"This was her idea and gift to Norwalk," Sharits said. "Her family has continued her mission, which was to provide free art classes to high school students in the area, to support up-and-coming Connecticut artists and to just build a cultural hub here in Norwalk. That was her original vision, and her family has been working to just kind of see it through."

Sharits said the opening weekend music festival will feature a diverse lineup of artists, such as a Japanese folk dancer, a mariachi band and a jazz trio, all sourced from Connecticut. Admission is free and open for all to enjoy.

According to a news release, the art space's music program is designed to provide high caliber music education to underserved students and enhance Norwalk's musical landscape. Under DeJesus' leadership, the art space will offer free classes, interactive workshops and performances featuring local musicians.

The team's desire is to create a community outlet for local music by developing young musicians and providing opportunities to seasoned professionals.

In addition to music, opening weekend festivities will include a group exhibition by the art space's resident artists and Korry Fellows, curated by Artistic Director Duvian Montoya and Curatorial and Policy Advisor Nicole Sansone Ruiz.

The Art Space Cafe, operated by celebrated chef and restaurateur Bill Taibe, will also be open, as will the space's educational facilities.

"The Norwalk Art Space is a wonderful addition to our community," Mayor Harry Rilling said in a news release. "Norwalk is a vibrant place with a deep connection to the arts, museums, galleries and culture, and the Norwalk Art Space is a perfect fit in a truly unique location."

Rilling also noted students, artists and visitors will all have a place to enjoy and experience right in their own community.

"Many thanks to Alexandra Korry," Rilling said, "and congratulations to Duvian, Canyon and the entire Norwalk Art Space team. We are thrilled to have this new museum in Norwalk."

Montoya said the space is intentionally designed to showcase various mediums of art and a wide variety of artists in every area of the space.

"To me," Montoya said, "music, art and food just go together...[the art space] is really going to bring all these various forms of art into one. It's going to be unlike any other space in the area."

The opening weekend celebration will also act as a showcase of what the space will offer throughout the year.

"That's what I'm really excited about," Montoya said, "to really open our doors to the community and expose what we're going to be up to for the next year."

For Sharits, being on the cusp of the art space's opening to the public after an 18-month redevelopment and remodeling of the building is surprisingly emotional.

"I think we have just the thought too of Alexandra," Sharits said, "we have the emotional aspect of it, as well seeing this incredible creation that she created. It's so inspiring to sit in the moment."

Full Opening Weekend Lineup

Saturday, June 5, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. — Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — ADK House Tour with Duvian Montoya, Kelly Rossetti and Lizzy Rockwell
2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — Mariachi Ensemble
3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Indian Tabla Group
4 p.m. to 5 p.m. — ADK House Tour w/ Duvian Montoya, Lorena Sferlazza and Jahmane West
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Big Sound Big Band

Sunday, June 6, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. — Funky Dawgz
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — ADK House Tour with Duvian Montoya, Tara Blackwell, Joseph Fucigna and Remy Sosa
2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — Japanese Folk Dancer
3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. — St. Lukes Steel Pan Band
4 p.m. to 5 p.m. — ADK House Tour w/ Duvian Montoya, Yvonne Shortt, Francisco Mandujano

More information can be found at www.thenorwalkartspace.org.