Housatonic Community College (HCC) held its 21st annual Sidewalk Art Festival yesterday. The event, originally planned to be held outdoors in the college’s downtown Bridgeport campus courtyard, included students, music and creativity.
“The number of students on campus this year is very limited, but we felt the need to still do something. This event is part of our tradition, and we wanted to bring some sense of life to the campus, some of that tradition back today,” said Geoffrey Sheehan, HCC Professor of Theater Arts who helped to plan the event.
Due to the rain, students were invited into the HCC’s spacious Lafayette Hall atrium to draw pictures in sidewalk chalk on individual chalkboard easels. A live jazz band and graffiti art rounded out the fun.
“Right now, it’s finals week, and I also work, so balancing finals with my job is extremely stressful. So just having something artistic to do, and enjoying the music is really pleasant,” said Jovanny Hernandez, a graphic design, multimedia major.
The experience provided an opportunity for students to manifest their own ideas into creation through chalk media. It also empowered scholars by getting them, and their work, out into the public.
“It feels good to be here, because I haven’t really seen people very much at the college. It feels like some sort of normalcy. It’s just nice to be around people and to be able to do this,” said Aeemay Dabrian of Shelton, who is double majoring in graphic design and illustration.
“We want everyone to know that Housatonic Community College is an active, energetic part of our community,” said Sheehan.
Serving southern Connecticut for over 50 years, Housatonic Community College offers a student-centered, high quality and accessible education through over 75 associate degree programs to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The college also offers occupational associate degrees and certificate programs, and the non-credit division partners with local business and industry to offer workforce training and customized professional development. HCC is distinguished as an Achieving the Dream Leader Institution, is a Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway provider, and is ranked by the Aspen Institute among the nation’s top 150 community colleges. Visit www.Housatonic.edu for more information.
Images to accompany this release: HCC Art Fest2.jpg HCC Art Fest3.jpg Caption: /HCCNews/2021/Sidewalk_Art/HCC_Art_Fest-3.jpg HCC Art Fest1.jpg Caption: HCC student Aeemay Dabrian, of Shelton.
Caption For Photo Right: Housatonic Community College held its 21st annual Sidewalk Art Festival yesterday.
Caption For Photo Right: Housatonic Community College held its 21st annual Sidewalk Art Festival yesterday.