Falls Village Cultivates Community, One Art Installation At A Time
When my twins were born, it was our third year living in the Northwest corner of Connecticut, having migrated from Fairfield County for quieter, less Starbucks-y pastures. We lived right across from the library in Falls Village. Little did we know at the time, this magical location would provide a sense of connection, joy, and community beyond anything one could have imagined. Story time and arts and crafts at the library, followed by culinary delights from Miss Erika and Miss Rita (hors d'oeuvres for the toddler set—biscuits, berries, and organic juice), brought the children in town together. The kids could be artistic, creative, and silly (and make noise in the library!) and the parents had the chance to connect and exhale. There is something exceptional about the capacity to make someone feel like they belong—no matter who they are—and this was magnified by the open, enthusiastic, unconditional invitation to come together. This welcoming sense of place gave us an extended family in town. It has kept our family loyal townsfolk ever since. And I’m only one of many who feel this way.
Now, a new endeavor seeks to harness that spirit of togetherness in the town through creativity. The Falls Village Art Crosswalk is an upcoming public art project, funded by a grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts, that will use design and creative expression to embody and reify the spirit of diversity and welcoming neighborly values that unite and inspire. The installation will be a community-generated work of art on the walk from the elementary school, past the library and into town—a central spot most residents traverse.
This idea was established in collaboration with the Falls Village Equity Project, a local open group dedicated to promoting equity regardless of gender, religious beliefs, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or nationality, in the area.
“We felt there is profound meaning in having the art installation next to our town’s cultural hub, the D.M. Hunt Library. The Falls Village Equity Project often refers to the crosswalk as a ‘welcome mat’ that will showcase the pride for our neighborhoods and history, while also connecting us to new visitors,” says Rika Laser, a local artist and social activist spearheading the project who radiates positivity. “The very first printmaking I ever did was a screen-printing workshop held at the D.M. Hunt Library. Attending a small school in a rural town meant that I knew my teachers and classmates very well. This close-knit experience shaped my idea of community and contributed to meaningful personal growth in a supportive environment. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a town and school where I felt safe, checked in on, and accepted,” she says.
The Art Crosswalk is a community-voiced public event that is an inclusive way to “celebrate the town, welcome newcomers, and reinvest in the local neighborhoods that we know and love,” adds Rika. In addition, the project invites town members to speak to their hopes and visions for the future, through a whimsical, brightly hued workbook that asks “what would you like to see here?” with illustrations and historical tidbits about the area. Citizens can populate the workbook and submit their answers prior to the installation of the art crosswalk.
Rika Laser
“The workbook is an intersection of art and design with creative placemaking. It celebrates the town’s positive initiatives and unique history, while also asking what needs and aspirations we may have. I think this approach of using art and design to converge with topics in local government would be a valuable way to strengthen communication and engagement around project planning and development in the town. This project is prioritizing the meaningful input from residents to ensure that the public artwork fully reflects our community’s shared vision for the future,” Rika says.
The Art Crosswalk project is also a way for the town to get its foot in the door for future public art ventures. “We’ve already received grants for individual artists’ projects," Laser notes, "and we can keep building on this to develop creative plans that are collaborative with the community. I think more public art would be a great addition in town, whether it be murals, sculpture, or even restoration projects for local historical landmarks. There are so many talented artists in town with many unique skill sets to share.”
To this end, on May 27, Rika is also holding an introduction to accordion bookmaking workshop at the library, free to the public through the state's Office of the Arts. The intent is to use this simple book structure to create a narrative that explores the relationship between place and identity. Then, on June 18, the community will participate in the painting of the crosswalk—an event to which, of course, everyone is invited.
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