I was very sad yesterday to receive an email announcing the closing of Brookfield Craft Center. I feel as though I grew up there.
It was at Brookfield that I learned goal setting from master teacher Laurie Klein. I took multiple classes from quilter and genius colorist Michael James. I had my first one-woman show at Brookfield when they had their SoNo location and got into the NY Times for the first time. I taught many classes there and made many friends in the process. Most recently, I attended a textile show curated by Liz Alpert Fay.
The former Executive Director, Jack Russell, left a year or so ago which was also sad. Jack had guided that institution with a vision and a firm hand. Whenever you guest taught at Brookfield, dinner with Jack and his wife Judith was a highlight. Not only did you get to spend quality time with this knowledgable and exhilarating couple, but you also got to hobnob with other elite artists. Even though I lived only 40 minutes away, I always made sure I stayed for dinner.
The recession has altered the landscape of all of our lives in many ways. This loss feels especially heartbreaking for me and the community it produced.
Unfortunately, this seems to be an almost constant occurrence. I’ve taught various arts classes through the Recreation Dept. for many, many years. A few months ago, the wonderful woman who scheduled my and all the other arts classes sent her teachers a notice that she was about to be “RIF’ed” due to budget cuts.
This is just one more indication that arts education is rapidly disappearing from the norm of particularly kid’s lives.
I guess the good news is that I and the arts teachers I know still find ways to teach. I may have to link my summer programs to remedial reading and math–but I always cover those anyway.
I suppose it’s the message that the arts aren’t essential that most concerns me. But there again, it just means being a little stronger with my artist voice when I work with kids.
This is sad news. I remember taking a really fun series of paper mechanics classes there with a good friend, just for the joy of playing.
Oh Jane!
I felt the same way. It was such a wonderful place.
Gini
Thank you so much for your call & concerns on the sad lunacy that brought BCC down. I had no doubt that this would be the inevitable consequence of the Board’s “New Direction” that was mentioned when they sought my resignation. Show’s what hubris, arrogance, ignorance of the community served and huge self-interest, when mixed together in appropriate quantities, can do.
When I think of all the good things BCC was able to accomplish over so many years for so many people, I take solace. My vision for BCC was to enable creative people to make their personal journey and thereby make the world a better place for all of us. I truly believed we accomplished this for three decades.
Too many broken hearts to count!
Let’s keep in touch…
Jack
John I. Russell
Russell Associates
60 Lower County Road
Roxbury, CT 06783
860-354-8591
jirussell208@charter.net
http://web.me.com/jirussell208/Russell_Associates/Welcome.html
@Julianne
Art is something that is so intrinsically a part of us that no matter how much money they take away, our spirits will continue producing. I’ve had a lifelong awareness of how sports are always supported while arts programs disappear. Ugh!
@Maggie
Wasn’t that fun!
@Gini
They touched a lot of lives. Taking a course at Brookfield was a treat I gave myself as a reward after doing something hard. I’m so sorry it’s not there any more.
@Jack
You’ll have to fill me in on the whole story sometime…