Making a cool city cooler

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is bridge-postcard.jpg

Great restaurants. That classic wide main street. Wesleyan. Excellent library. Way-cool college radio station. Middletown’s got it all, right? Well, except for visual art. In the first of a series about how to make Middletown an art destination, Open Studio talks with an artist, a former arts administrator, and a Realtor. They consider the sad proposition that maybe the city just isn’t into art.

Upcoming episodes will feature the mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, the executive director of The Buttonwood Tree arts venue and other smart, creative people. We’ll even go for a downtown walking tour with the head of the Downtown Business District and the current city arts administrator.

Listen to Part One.

Artist Chris Mathison, who helps create exhibits for Kid City, has visions of a gallery/music venue/movie theater downtown. Find him and his work on Instagram @kissytunnel and at IMNOTJOEY.BANDCAMP.COM

Stephan Allison headed the city arts office for nearly 20 years.His late wife, Susan Allison, was the founder of The Buttonwood Tree and the city’s first poet laureate.