Twenty-four Connecticut urban artists are exhibiting their work at the Institute for Community Research Gallery at 2 Hartford Square West (off Wyllys Street). Focus on 4: Hartford, New Britain, Bristol, Waterbury, opens Thursday, June 29 with a free reception from 5:00-8:00 p.m., featuring musician Deborah Simmons of Swivel Hips, who is also a visual artist and site coordinator of the Urban Artists Initiative in Hartford. The exhibit continues through October 13, noon-4:00 p.m. weekdays.
     The exhibit showcases new works by artists from four cities in the Urban Artists Initiative, a statewide program of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts in partnership with the Institute for Community Research. Participating artists represent a variety of cultures and use a wide array of media, including painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, pottery and installation.
     "The Institute is proud to present the work of artists who are engaged in the cultural, educational, and economic lives of their communities," says Urban Artists Initiative Co-Director Maryland Grier. Exhibit Coordinator Colleen Coleman points out that "for New Britain and Bristol participants, this is the first group exhibition since completing their mentorship phase of the program, while for Waterbury and Hartford artists it is an opportunity to showcase how their sensibilities have developed after several years in the Initiative."
     Cash prizes will be awarded to three artists. Judging the show will be visual artist Joy Wulke of New Haven, director of Projects for a New Millennium and nationally recognized for her public art projects.
     In addition to Hartford, New Britain, Bristol, and Waterbury, the Urban Artists Initiative operates in Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, and Norwalk. The program provides training, mentorships, residencies, and performance and exhibit opportunities to more than 150 artists and 45 arts organizations.
     For more information about the exhibit, call Exhibit Coordinator Colleen Coleman, x295. For information about the Urban Artists Initiative, contact Program Director David Marshall,, or Co-Director Maryland Grier, x228.
     The Urban Artists Initiative is a program of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts in partnership with the Institute for Community Research. The program, which began as the Inner City Cultural Development Program, was designed to address the unique needs of emerging urban artists and organizations that produce or present cultural events. The Urban Artists Initiative is funded by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, and has received additional grant support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and the Waterbury Foundation.

-Colleen Coleman
Exhibit Coordinator