WBDC Equity Match Grant for Women - Deadline July 3rd!

The Women’s Business Development Council is offering grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut The Equity Match Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability. The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses (e.g. inventory, on-going marketing expenses, salaries), real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment. Applicants are required to provide a minimum 25% match (see below for more details).

THE GRANT APPLICATION closes soon. The deadline to apply is July 3, 2022!

LEARN MORE + APPLY HERE

The Sono Collection Presents The Norwalk Art Space

Community Partnership Celebrates Local Artists In “Magnificent” New Gallery Space

May 19, 2022, Norwalk, CT: Norwalk's premier retail, lifestyle, and event space, The SoNo Collection, has teamed up with the newly opened Norwalk Art Space, providing a home for local artists to share their talent with the public. The SoNo Collection, already established as a premier venue to experience large format artwork from an array of local, national, and international artists, will now be transforming its second floor "People's United Magnificent Room" into a gallery space produced by The Norwalk Art Space.

The first art installation kicks off on Monday, June 6, with a reception from 5 PM-7 PM with The SoNo Collection leadership team members, The Norwalk Art Space directors and artists, and Norwalk community representatives. The show features The Norwalk Art Space's most recent exhibit, Inaugural Journey, with works by current Resident Artists.

The eclectic line-up includes Francisco Mandujano's creative pieces inspired by the fantasy world of gaming, Lorena Sferlazza's thought-provoking acrylic and oil paintings, emotionally charged and richly collaged mixed medium canvasses by Remy Sosa, and Emily Teall's artistic visions influenced by the natural cycle of renewal unpredictable twisting of

nature untamed.

The Norwalk Art Space exhibition space is wrapped in towering floor-to-ceiling windows, accentuating the artwork with natural sunlight. The public can stroll the art gallery and enjoy refreshments from Café Oui. A modern gallery vibe is achieved with the energy from The SoNo Collection's consumer traffic and numerous events taking place throughout the

property.

The Norwalk Art Space opened its doors in June of 2021 with its mission of increasing opportunities and equity in the local arts community by offering free art and music education and mentorship to under-served high school students, sponsoring and promoting local artists through our Resident Artist program and Korry Fellow exhibitions, and providing the public an exciting venue to explore art and music, all free.

I am thrilled that The Norwalk Art Space artists will have this added exposure and recognition at The SoNo Collection, says Duvian Montoya, Artistic and Educational Director at The Norwalk Art Space, "The extra foot traffic is great, and with the collection of beautifully curated home goods stores like LA Home and Arhaus, to name a few, the gallery will also bring out interior designers and art buyers alike that will help support our artists and bring awareness to our mission, programs, and community events."

“The SoNo Collection is proud to be a sponsor and continue Norwalk’s storied past of incubation and patronage of the arts. The People’s United Magnificent Room, designed for community engagement, is the perfect venue for The Norwalk Art Space to showcase the amazing work of their Artists in Residence. We are proud to play host to their work

and share their vision with our guests. We thank the Norwalk Arts Space team for their willingness and dedication.”

Matthew Seebeck Senior General Manager, The SoNo Collection.

www.thesonocollection.com

100 N Water St, Norwalk, CT 06854

The SoNo Collection is a retail location unlike any other in the Fairfield County. In addition to being home to the region’s first Bloomingdale’s, its first Nordstrom, and dozens more upscale retailers, this multi-level, design-driven destination features innovative culinary offerings, art installations, and a year-round calendar of interactive events and is an active

member of the Norwalk community with involvement in the arts, culture, and the development of the city.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK DONATES $5,000 TO THE NORWALK ART SPACE

Norwalk, CT—April 26, 2022: Fairfield County Bank donated $5,000 to the Norwalk Art

Space.

The Norwalk Art Space was founded and designed by Alexandra Davern Korry, a New

York City M&A Lawyer, educator, civil rights advocate, and Westport resident. Korry

aimed to create an art space that would enhance educational opportunities for under-

served students, promote under-represented local artists, and provide the public a

space to enjoy art and music.

Korry unfortunately passed away in 2020 before construction was completed. Her vision

was brought to completion by her husband, Robin Panovka, and is honored in the name

of The Norwalk Art Space’s building, the ADK House.

“We are thrilled to begin a relationship with The Norwalk Art Space,” said Vice President

and Branch Manager Isaac Walcott of the Broad River office. “I was honored when

asked to join their advisory board, and I look forward to working closely with the Norwalk

community through the Art Space.”

In addition to providing free, high-caliber art education to high school students, Norwalk

Art Space also selects four “emerging” artists to participate in the Resident Artist

program. These Resident Artists receive their own art studio and free exhibition space,

in exchange for teaching the weekly art classes. Part of Fairfield County Bank’s

donation will go towards supporting these free art classes for high school students.