The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
6 Connecticut towns with thriving arts scenes
Halfway between Boston and New York City, Connecticut's rolling hills, scenic beaches and historic cities have provided inspiration for musicians, actors, sculptors, painters, directors, writers and more for many years. Mark Twain, for example, lived in Hartford and F. Scott Fitzgerald had a home in Westport.
Today, there are many towns throughout the state with thriving artist communities — too many to include in one article. So, for now, enjoy this list of six "artsy" towns in Connecticut.
Kent
Kent is a picturesque New England town packed to the gills with art galleries. Aside from Bull Bridge — one of Connecticut's only covered bridges — and the myriad of waterfalls at Kent Falls State Park, the town has several art institutions, including Morrison Gallery, founded by famous guitar player William Morrison, the Kent Art Association and Craven Contemporary. There's also a thriving downtown shopping scene with lots of local artisans' wares.
Ridgefield
Ridgefield has a number of Broadway stars among its residents, including composers Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Little Shop of Horrors”), Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Pippin”) and Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“Frozen,” “Book of Mormon”). So, it’s no surprise the town also has a thriving arts scene. In May 2021, the Connecticut Office of the Arts designated the town as the state'sfirst Cultural Arts District. The district includes A Contemporary Theater of Connecticut (ACT), the Ridgefield Theater Barn, The Conservatory of Dance, the Lounsbury House, Keeler Tavern, the Aldrich Museum and more.
Norwalk
Norwalk is a rich haven for public art and street art. The official city of Norwalk website has an inventory off all the public art displays in the city installed between 1960 and 2014.
The town even has its own series of mobile audio guides that tell visitors about different art displays throughout the city. The guides include the West Avenue District, City Hall to Wall Street, South Norwalk, Around Town and WPA murals.
New Haven
New Haven is home to one of the most respected universities in the world, but it also has a thriving creative arts scene. The Arts Council of New Haven hosts several events a month, including artist lectures, classes, workshops, virtual game nights and even a s’mores and yoga class combo night. The city also hosts an annual twoweek art festival called the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, in which artists from around the world showcase their work.
Hartford
The Greater Hartford Arts Council hosts multiple art events a week, including literary club meetings, exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours, lectures, shows and classes. Hartford is home to the oldest continuously operating art museum in the country, the Wadsworth Museum. The city also holds
The Mark Twain House, which is the former home of one of America’s most beloved authors, Samuel L. Clemmons, also known as Mark Twain.
New Canaan
New Canaan is a great location for anyone looking to explore the intersection of arts and nature. The New Canaan Nature Center has inspired artists during the pandemic and nearby Grace Farms cultural center combines five initiatives — nature, arts, justice, community and faith — in its humanitarian mission.
The town is also home to several cultural institutions such as the Philip Johnson Glass House, the Carriage Barn Arts Center and the Silvermine Arts Center.