Theater group, artist to be honored

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Commission on the Arts will honor a longtime theater group and visual artist next week during its annual Arts Advocacy Award ceremony at City Hall.

This year, commissioners chose the city-based Vintage Players troupe and resident artist David Schulz for its annual recognition of those who have significantly contributed to the cultural and artistic enrichment and/or have shown extraordinary support and initiative for the arts in Middletown.

San Francisco-born Schulz, who is primarily self-taught, took his first formal art class in Sioux City, Iowa, at 7. He studied art at the University of Wisconsin and began as a graphic designer/illustrator until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967.

Schulz, who has lived in Middletown with his wife Carol for more than 40 years, spent many years designing and building sets for Oddfellows Playhouse, Artfarm and Watkinson School in West Hartford.

“These days I mostly draw and paint whatever is of interest to me at any given moment,” said Schulz, who has most recently focused his work on creating portraits. His art hangs in many private collections, including the city arts collection at City Hall.

The first staging of the Vintage Players, founded in 1993 by Jane McMillan, was a staged reading of “Dancing at Lughnasa” at the original Buttonwood Tree on Rapallo Avenue.

Over the years, original members John Hall and Lynne Ficudia were joined by Richard Kamins and Dorris Hallie. In 2003, veteran Broadway dancer and actress Carolyn Kirsh joined the group.

All funds raised over the past 25 years have gone to local nonprofits such as Oddfellows Playhouse and the Green Street Teaching and Learning Center.

The local ceremony will be held March 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in lobby of the Council Chambers at City Hall. It coincides with National Arts Advocacy Day taking place the following week, March 20-21 in Washington.

Refreshments will be served and all are invited to the ceremony at City Hall, 245 deKoven Drive. For information, contact City Arts Coordinator Stephan Allison at 860-638-4510 or arts@middletownct.gov.