About
THE NORWALK ART SPACE - WHERE ART EDUCATION IS FREE, AND OPPORTUNITY IS FOR ALL
who we are
Rooted in the vision of our founder, Alexandra D. Korry (ADK), The Norwalk Art Space expands opportunity through free art and music education for underserved children, often their only access to creative learning.
Located in the heart of Norwalk, ADK House stands as a powerful reminder that talent is everywhere, and opportunity should be as well. Within these walls, young people are given the tools, mentorship, and safe space to explore their creativity, build confidence, and imagine new possibilities—all free.
Our unique program provides underrepresented Resident Artists with free mentorship, studios and exhibition space in exchange for inspiring, teaching and mentoring our students, creating a powerful cycle of learning, inspiration, and success.
Every brushstroke and melody carries forward ADK’s legacy of removing financial barriers and building pathways where they did not exsist. Your support sustains this vision — funding free classes, materials, and studio space — so opportunity reaches those who need it most.
Meet The Team
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Duvian Montoya is a multifaceted artist and leader, dedicated to fostering connections within the artistic community as the Executive Director of The Norwalk Art Space. His role involves cultivating relationships among artists spanning generations, guiding exhibition direction, and shaping educational programming. In addition, Duvian collaborates with various nonprofit organizations and the Norwalk Public Schools to address curriculum requirements and develop community initiatives. He firmly believes in the power of collective effort to elevate all individuals, thereby building resilient and united communities.
Beyond his impactful community work, Duvian Montoya is a versatile talent. He wears multiple hats as an Artist, Muralist, Studio Manager, Curator, and Community Organizer. His vibrant paintings, striking murals, and captivating installations grace numerous locations across Connecticut, while they are cherished collections at SONO Collection, Housatonic Community College, The Mattatuck Museum, The City of Norwalk, Westport, New Haven, Disney, and Gulfstream Worldwide. Duvian is also credited with co-founding two prominent Fairfield County Arts organizations: "The Saint Philip Artist Guild" in Norwalk in 2009, and "The Artists Collective of Westport" in 2014.
MARKETING LEAD
Julie Hoffman is an accomplished brand marketer and marketing consultant. Her diverse working experience includes working as and with agencies, clients and start up entrepreneurs to develop multidimensional brands, advertising, consumer and B2B messaging, and social media marketing.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Dale Najarian is an internationally recognised artist working primarily in oils and mixed media. She has a passion for photography, and documenting her experiences is an important part of her creative process as it is a source of inspiration for much of her work. She is also an advocate and philanthropist serving on many non-profit Boards in Fairfield County.
Dale received her BFA from Moore College of Art & Design and worked for over fifteen years as a Graphic Designer and Art Director in NY, Philadelphia and DC. She was recently awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Moore for her active role in using art to connect to a larger audience.
EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR
Darcy Hicks, M.Ed, is an artist, education coach, and teacher of 30 years, certified K-12 by the State of CT. She works together with our Resident Artists to develop a rich curriculum, and to support them as professionals as they share their individual creative practices with Norwalk Youth. Darcy specializes in Visual Literacy, which she helped to develop while working with the Yale Center for British Art. Visual Literacy is a pedagogical approach that uses art as a means to discover and share the authentic voices of students. She is passionate about the need for both students and teachers to have agency in the classroom, and the urgency to make learning a joyful and lifelong experience. She has published and presented her research on the connection between art and writing both nationally and world-wide.
EDUCATIONAL COORDINATOR
Emily Teall (BFA Cornell University '16, MA Columbia University '18) is a Connecticut-based multimedia artist with particular interests in sculpture and installation art. Her artistic career began with an early-childhood interest in and curiosity about nature. Organic elements continue to drive her artworks. Her current work also draws from experiences with social anxiety and from the role of the body in (particularly a female) identity. Emily has exhibited in a number of group shows in and near her hometown of Riverside, CT; at Cornell University; at Columbia University in a show curated by Gregory Amenoff; in New York City; and in Hudson, NY. She has worked closely with installation artist Angiola Churchill and with painter Christina Burch.
In addition to building a personal artistic practice through art shows and art collective involvement, Emily currently teaches a broad variety of visual art and design courses to 5th-12th grade students at Fusion Academy’s Greenwich campus. She is especially passionate about combining human rights with the arts and with art education; her Master’s thesis, titled “Realizing the Right to Education for NYC’s Homeless Children: Identifying and Removing Barriers” focused on education of homeless youth.
founder
The Norwalk Art Space was lovingly conceived, founded, and designed by Alexandra Davern Korry (1959-2020).
Alexandra's vision was to bridge gaps and break barriers in order to provide opportunities to underserved children and underrepresented artists. As an M&A lawyer, educator, and champion of civil rights, she understood how to effect positive change and wanted to create a haven where local students could take free classes and where untapped artistic potential could flourish. The idea was to create a virtuous cycle in which young artists are provided with studios and exhibition space, and in exchange, teach the next generation, all at no cost. The result is The Norwalk Art Space – a space that not only enriches the educational landscape for underserved students but also spotlights local artists who have long been overlooked.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robin Panovka - Chair*
Paula Argosh
Wendy Baskin
Ellen Cardozo-Sonsino
Laurie Delbene
Catherine Devine
Diane Jellerette
Helen Kauder
Robert Kettenmann
Marilyn Wiles-Kettenmann
Edward Korry
Dale Najarian
Melissa Newman
Alon Panovka
Lucia Rilling
Dr. Susan G. Weinberger
Jahmane West
Non-voting member
Anne Teall
* Spouse of Alexandra Korry (1959-2020), who founded The Norwalk Art Space prior to her passing
Advisory Board
Marc Alan - Norwalk Arts Commission
Eric Bernheim - FLB Law
Tara Blackwell - Artist
Penny Cook - Grants Consultant
Nancy Diamond - Producer, Short Cuts Film Festival
Joseph Fucigna - Norwalk Community College
Susan Gilgore - Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
Kimberly Henrikson - Center for Contemporary Printmaking
Rick Hoag - Frederick William Hoag Architect
Richard Klein - Artist and Curator
Douglas Laustsen - INTEMPO
Shobana Mani - Subramani Label + Fashion Impact Foundation
Sandra J. Miklave - Norwalk Symphony Orchestra
Lizzy Rockwell - Illustrator & Children's Book Author
Kelly Rossetti - Artist
Jeffrey Selden - Marcia Selden Catering
Robin Selden - Marcia Selden Catering
Bill Taibe - For the Food Restaurant Group
Stephanie Thomas
Isaac Walcott - Fairfield County Bank
David Westmoreland - Norwalk Redevelopment Agency Commission
Ryan Wiedmann - Global Brand Marketing Leader
Here's how we're making a differencE
Empowering Local Students:
We provide free, high-caliber art and music education along with mentorship to underprivileged students, nurturing their creativity and potential.
Amplifying Underrepresented Artists:
We sponsor and promote underrepresented Connecticut artists through free residency and fellowship programs, free studio space, and free exhibition opportunities, giving their voices the recognition they deserve. We give these talented artists the chance to gain teaching experience and open new avenues to enhance their careers.
Creating a Cultural Haven:
Our doors are wide open to the public, offering an exciting venue and sculpture garden where visitors can explore art, savor music, and engage in meaningful conversations—all without any admission fees.
Supporting Local Schools
We're proud to assist the Norwalk Public Schools by providing professional development days and essential art resources to further enrich the educational experience.
The Norwalk Art Space is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Alexandra D. Korry (ADK).
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Your support can help us continue our mission. Reach out to us at events@thenorwalkartspace.org, and let's make arts education accessible to all, together.