The Institute for Community Research (ICR) is sponsoring a Community Conversation on Living Spaces on May 8, 2003, 5:00pm-7:30pm at the Institute's offices, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100 (on the corner of Charter Oak Ave. & Wyllys Street). The Conversation is the next event in a program series aimed at creating a dialogue between researchers, artists and community residents about the interaction between physical and imagined spaces, our individual and social identities, and issues of social justice. Other events include a dialogue between artists and researchers and an art exhibit and performance. "The Living Spaces program confronts a pressing issue in the region," states Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Institute. "The characteristics of our urban areas are shifting, both economically and culturally. Through art and dialogue, the program strives to unravel and delve deeply into these issues."

The Community Conversation will feature two panels of local and regional leaders involved in housing, urban development, social action, business and the arts, and will be co-facilitated by Dr. Schensul, and Doug Evans, Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. Panelists include: Will Wilkins, Executive Director, Real Art Ways; Louise Simmons, UCONN School of Social Work; Renee Coleman Mitchell, Office of Asthma & Childhood Lead, CT Department of Public Health; Henrietta Bernal, UCONN School of Nursing; Denise Viera, Housing consultant; Paul Pozzi, Pozzi & Associates; Maria Martinez, ICR Community Outreach, Project RAP (Risk Avoidance Partnership); and Bonnie Nastasi, Associate Director, Interventions, ICR; and Barbara Schaffer Bacon, Animating Democracy Initiative, Americans for the Arts.

The Living Spaces Community Conversation will explore issues related to individual and community identity, economic and social inequity, social history and
cultural heritage. Questions that will be discussed include: How does the physical, social and cultural environment impact one's attachment to place? How are different spaces - physical, virtual or social spaces - inherently inclusive/exclusive? How is space contested? How does one's identity, both individually and collectively, impact the meaning he/she attaches to different places and spaces? Who controls or determines the development of urban and rural physical or social spaces and what impact does that have on individuals who live there? "Many cities around the country are tackling issues of affordable housing, urban restructuring, and sustainable living, and are developing new policies that affect thousands of individuals and their families," states Louise Simmons from the UCONN School of Social Work and one of the panelists for the Conversation. "Taking the time to discuss these issues with community leaders that represent different disciplines and walks of life is crucial to ensuring that people who don't often have the opportunity to speak - or who aren't heard by decision makers - have a chance to voice their views and have input into development plans for the region."

In addition to the May 8th event, ICR's Community Gallery is currently exhibiting a body of artistic work focused on the theme. The ten artists from Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey responded to an open call for work about Living Spaces, that incorporated it's broad and complex meaning. They dared to look deeply into their lives and those of others to come up with innovative, experimental and some times provocative work about the places, spaces and times we live in. The exhibit, which runs through May 30th, serves as a catalyst for the Community Conversation.
"Living Spaces" is a component of the Institute's public programming, featuring work and activities connected to the organization's community-based research and community partnerships. For more information about the event, contact Jill Chopyak Hogan, Assistant Director, Public Programming & Development, at x303. Gallery hours are 12:00-4:00 p.m. weekdays. For more information about the exhibit, call Colleen L. Coleman at 860-278-2044, x310. Photos available on request.