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Arts & Entertainment

Arts Council Bestows Arts and Education Awards

Local artists and students win recognition and scholarships.

 

In a ceremony at at 290 Pratt Street on Tuesday, the (MAC) gave out its annual Arts and Education Awards.

This year’s Education Award recipients are Amanda Barnes of Maloney High School and Louise Carrozza of Platt High School.

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According to Lynn Fisher of the Arts Council, both students have demonstrated excellence in the arts. They received grants to help defray college costs. Barnes plans to study dance at Hofstra University, and Carrozza will study music education at Western Connecticut State University.

CaRo Gallery also awarded its Creativity + Grant to Madison Fornal who will be studying culinary arts.

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Said Leonora Cajigas Rodriguez, who runs the gallery, “The girls are all great. They’re really exceptional young ladies. It’s nice to know there’s so much artistic talent in Meriden.”

In addition to presenting the student grants, the MAC also recognizes members of the communities of Meriden, Southington and Wallingford who have made valuable contributions to the arts. This year’s Arts Awards recipients are Leonora Cajigas Rodriquez, Donna Egan and Marjorie Low. 

Local artist Rodriguez grew up in Meriden and returned to the Silver City to open her own gallery here two years ago. She teaches art classes, maintains an active schedule of exhibits and shows, and mentors a diverse group of artists at the gallery, according to Fisher.

Egan founded the Meriden Youth Theater more than 30 years ago. She now teaches piano and guitar lessons at the YMCA. She has inspired many young creative people and continues to do so tirelessly, Fisher says. 

Marjorie Low, an artist from Southington, is a board member of the Southington Arts Council. She has a long history of contributions to the cultural arts and inspires all that she comes in contact with, Fisher shares.

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