
The stunning glass-box Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts—one of the country's premiere ballet schools—was the setting for the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council’s spring Culture Mix, which brought together artists, actors, teachers, politicians and culture aficionados in downtown Torrington, CT. Local caterer Jill Nicolson outdid herself with a lavish cocktail buffet, which was held in one of the high-ceilinged glass-walled studios with views of rolling hills in the distance.


Marc Trivella, vice president of the Nutmeg's board of directors, with state representative Michelle Cook and Torrington attorney James P. Steck; art teacher Rosemary Barrett with Stewart Wilson, executive director of the Artwell Gallery in Torrington.

Adelka Polak, a mixed-media performing artist, with Heidi Kirchofer and Joel Melendez of Matica Arts.


Patrice Galterio, founder of the Kent Film Festival, which runs April 22 -25, 2010, with Carol Marti of the 550 Gallery in Bethlehem; Ron Alexander, principal for training and academics at the Nutmeg Conservatory, with Amy Wynn, executive director of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council.

JoAnn Ryan, president of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, with farmer Michael Keilty of Northeast SARE (Sustainable Agriculture, Research & Education.)


Screenwriter Brenda Nielson with composer Joshua Stone; Fran Keilty, owner of the Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington Depot, with Vita West Muir, executive director of the Litchfield Jazz Festival.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo