Many hands make a masterpiece.
As she tours the five rooms that make up her newly rented space – what will shortly become her community arts center – owner and Director Nicole Colvin-Griffin of Wilton can see all the possibilities unfold for this space to fill some of the gaping holes in the town’s available activities.
On Saturday, Colvin-Griffin will hold a grand opening on Saturday of the Rise Up! Center for the Arts, Healing and CommUnity, a venture that will give a space for artistic expression for school aged children to seniors and offer a home to a variety of area teachers to hold artistic and wellness-oriented classes.
“It’s certainly always been a passion of mine to build community, and that’s what I hope to do here,” said Colvin-Griffin. “I hope this is a space that can foster many different ideas.”
The center, located in the Riverview Artist Mill in Wilton in the former DanceWorks Movement Design studio space, will create a space where people can exercise their bodies and minds, deepen their connection, and learn from each other. It will offer classes in everything from yoga to belly dancing and African drumming, and offer community activities including a game night, community art projects, sewing and “barefoot” dances.
When Colvin-Griffin walks through the rooms, shortly after getting access to the space, she sees the potential. A dance and movement room, an space for arts and crafts, a quiet space where children can do homework or relax, a room already set up with looms where people can weave and sew and craft.
“I want there to be tons of offerings by different providers,” said Colvin-Griffin. “I’m really excited to create works with people. And people are excited about the space.”
This is not the first time Colvin-Griffin has found a home in the mill, where she used to share a studio space with her husband.
“It’s great to be back in the mill community,” she said. “I feel this is a natural fit here. There are so many things that can happen in this space. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
In addition to offering adult classes, Colvin-Griffin said that she will be offering an after-school program for school-aged children, a niche she said is in need of filling, as there is no Wilton-based after-school options.
“It is something there is a need for here,” said Colvin-Griffin. “We don’t currently have an after-school program. This will be another option.”
Colvin-Griffin is currently accepting students into the program, which has room for between 10 and 12 children.
It’s gaps like the after-school program that Colvin-Griffin hopes that the center will be able to fill. Colvin-Griffin has been involved over the years with many community projects – including heading up the Wilton Community Center Committee when it was first formed – and is well aware of the need for community spaces.
“I love planting seeds in the community,” said Colvin-Griffin. “The next step will be people coming and seeing it active and fully realized.”
On Saturday, Colvin-Griffin will hold a grand opening on Saturday between 4 and 10 p.m. for the public to view the space, enquire or sign up for classes or membership, and participate in activities.
At 4 p.m., the center will open with a gong/sound healing session. From 4 to 6 p.m. there will be children’s activities and arts and crafts. At 5 p.m. there will be an African drumming mini-class. At 7 p.m. there will be a women’s circle.
At 8 p.m. there will be a belly dance performance and mini-class and at 8:30 p.m. there will be a dance party. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Colvin-Griffin at 400-9006 or go to riseupcenter.org.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244.