Teaming up with Middletown

The Story of the Green Street Arts Center (GSAC)

Any day of the week, you can walk into the Green Street Arts Center and find it full of activity. On Mondays, students in the after school program learn videography and printing techniques. Tuesdays are "open studio" nights, where artists can drop in and receive one-on-one instruction, regardless of their skill level. In March, Brandon Albright (a.k.a. "Peace"), of the internationally renowned dance company Rennie Harris Puremovement, led a free family workshop about the history of hip-hop.

All of this activity wouldn't be possible without the help of Wesleyan's Center for Community Partnerships and student volunteers. Amy Ruiz '07 is a psychology and sociology major from the Bronx who just began volunteering at the Green Street Arts Center in February. She sees a lot of potential in the students and is enjoying getting to know them.

"I feel like having someone there that they can identify with is really important, there's a lot of support at Green Street which is good," she says. "That's what makes an organization effective: support and communication."

The Green Street Arts Center is the result of a partnership formed between Wesleyan University, the City of Middletown, and the North End Action Team to create an anchor for the revitalization efforts currently underway in the North End. The three-story brick building contains a performance studio, a dance studio, computer and videography labs, and state-of-the-art recording equipment. Ruiz has not yet visited the center outside of her volunteering time, which is an unexpected stress-reliever.

"It's good to not worry so much about papers and deadlines," she says. "You're there, enjoying time with kids and remembering how it feels to be younger."

Alumni interested in volunteering, taking classes, or contributing a donation to the Green Street Arts Center may call Janis Astor del Valle, acting director of the center, at (860) 685-7871 to receive more information, or visit http://www.greenstreetartscenter.org.

You can learn more about the Green Street Arts Center during "Green Street Arts Center: An Important Town-Gown Collaboration," a WESeminar scheduled during Reunion & Commencement Weekend, May 25-28, 2006.