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Five Points Arts grew out of the Torrington Arts and Culture Commission’s 2012 initiative, Art Space Torrington, a temporary 740 square foot summer storefront gallery located in the heart of Torrington’s historic downtown district. The success of the summer initiative led to the founding of Five Points Gallery, a permanent non-profit 501(c)(3) visual arts organization dedicated to the belief that contemporary art is a vital component of human understanding.
In 2013, the new gallery, named after its location at the five-point intersection in the heart of downtown Torrington, expanded to an adjacent storefront creating a contiguous 3,800 square foot space composed of three beautifully renovated galleries.
The Gallery mounts new exhibits every six weeks showcasing professional regional, national and international visual artists. Five Points Gallery has exhibited nearly 1,800 artists since 2012 and boasts artists’ submissions from around the globe, including Canada, China, UK, Spain, Germany, Norway, Russia, Japan, India, Denmark, France, Italy and nearly every state in the USA. The guest book is similarly impressive with approximately 6,000 subscribers on the mailing list.
Five Points Gallery’s success has become symbolic of Torrington’s rebirth as an arts destination. The innovative curatorial stance and commitment to excellence have made the Five Points Gallery one of Connecticut’s most sought-after exhibition spaces. Art New England has lauded Five Points Gallery as” One of 4 New England Galleries Worth the Drive.” It was also voted best Litchfield County Gallery in 2023 and Best Connecticut Gallery in 2024 by Connecticut Magazine.
The Launchpad initiative, which begun as a strategic partnership with Hartford Art School; University of Hartford, was formed in 2016. Emerging artists who have been severed from the umbilical connection of guidance, direction, community and art facilities found in a degree program, often face an uncertain future that, for the most part, has to be negotiated independently. Often working in their parents’ basements or garages, many promising young artists find themselves isolated without intellectual and creative stimulation needed for growth.
The Launchpad program, which has grown to include multiple colleges and universities, offers these emerging artists access to affordable shared studio spaces above Five Points Gallery, free access to the Arts Center, a serious arts community, mentorship, exhibition and gallery management opportunities, as well as a biennial exhibition in Five Points Gallery. The Launchpad 4.0 initiative was also established for emerging artists who do not require shared studio spaces but understand the need for a strong arts community as they develop their art.
The Annex is a non-juried first come first serve community pop-up gallery providing artists, artisans, and community organizations an affordable professional space in which to exhibit. Located adjacent to Five Points Gallery at 15 Water Street, the Annex is managed by Five Points staff and available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. The Annex has hosted over 1,000 artists since its opening in 2017.
The Arts Center is a transformative multi-year project that continues to grow and further the positive impact of the arts in the region and beyond.
In June of 2020, after nearly two years of negotiation, Five Points finalized the purchase of the former University of Connecticut Torrington Regional campus. Located 4 miles from downtown Torrington and two hours from New York and Boston, the property includes a 30,000 square foot building and 90 acres of land.
When the campus opportunity came to Five Points Arts’ attention in 2018 – Judith McElhone acted. “This came out of left field, and yet it was clearly a perfect pathway to giving artists and community members the equipment, facilities and support needed to grow their art.” Envisioned as a dynamic fulcrum for cutting edge exploration and community driven activity, Five Points Arts has transformed the property into a world-class Arts Center the likes of which have not been seen before in Northwest Connecticut.
Five Points has significantly contributed to the revitalization of Torrington through the establishment of the Five Points Gallery now recognized as a premier art venue in Connecticut. Art enthusiasts are drawn to the region from all over the United States and nine countries.
Supporting arts, culture and tourism is a cornerstone of Northwest Connecticut’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The Arts Center continues to attract young people to the region, create jobs, and strengthen Northwest Connecticut’s identity as a center for artistic innovation.
MEMBERSHIP
The Five Points Arts Membership program provides essential support for the Arts Center’s programming and offers several benefits, including a 10% discount on all workshops, independent lab rental opportunities, discounts on framing and art supplies, advance notice for new workshops and invitations to special events. Annual membership levels start as low as $35.
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