City-Wide Open Studios: Neighborhoods Weekend

City-Wide Open Studios
50 Orange St., New Haven, (203) 772-2709
Neighborhoods Weekend
Oct. 21, 2006.

I spent the better time of this glorious afternoon communing with artists in New Haven's Westville neighborhood. I had ambitious plans to stop there first, visit a couple of locations in West Haven and then conclude my art touristing at Daggett Street. (I have to go to Daggett Street; I lived there for the first three years of the 1980's.)

But one of the things about CWOS, at least for me, is getting to talk to artists. I want to know how they got this effect or why they are fascinated with that subject. And conversations, particularly interesting ones—and artists are often very interesting conversationalists—take time. The upshot: I was able to make a number of stops in Westville and then shot across time to pass the final hour at Daggett Street (somewhat gentrified since my residence there but still retaining a down-at-the-heels charm).

I'll be posting my observations starting on Monday. I encourage anyone who couldn't get out today—and those of you who did—to explore the so-called "East Neighborhoods" (downtown New Haven, Audubon, East Rock, Wooster, Fair Haven and North Haven) tomorrow. The bicycling contingent, led by artist and bike aficionado Matt Feiner, was having a great time today—we crossed paths around 3 p.m.—and there was happy bus tour crew shepherded by Helen Kauder. Both bike and bus options will be available on Sunday.