The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘There’s not a bad seat in the house’
Milford Arts Council undergoes renovations
When Milford Arts Council executive director Paige Miglio is asked why she’s not painting anymore, her quick response is: “This is my art.”
Miglio is referring to running the bustling Milford Arts Council — or MAC — which is one of the busiest in the state and draws artists of all kinds from as far south as Fairfield county, as north as Madison and from the Valley. “It’s a magic place,” she said. And it just got more magical with renovations to its headquarters, Center for the Arts, funded by state and city grants.
MAC is one of the few in the state that has a center in which to showcase artists’ work through exhibits and to house performances in its quaint theater that seats 100-110.
“There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Miglio said.
That space, located 40 Railroad Ave. at the train station, recently had a facelift inside and in the spring will get another sprucing up outside thanks to a grant of $60,000 from the state and $15,000 from the city to get new carpet, paint, stage work, an improved concession area and speakeasy and some details that add to the ambiance, such as velvet curtains done in Victorian style. MAC moved into the eastbound train station in 1995.
The outside work will include painting, improved signage, and a kiosk to hold pamphlets about upcoming events at MAC and in the city.
Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce director of Membership, Opportunities & Enthusiasm, Nell Moll said, “It is a joy to see the rebirth,” of the Milford Arts Council.
“Watching the renovations and rejuvenation of the MAC over the last few years has created a cultural bridge and venue for so many forms of the arts,” Moll said. “It fills the needs of the mainstream art and cultural venues with a variety of theater, community events and showcases a variety of music & visual arts.”
Moll said the location is perfect, as MAC’s center for the arts is steps away from downtown restaurants, cafes, shops, and accessible by boat, train, automobile and foot.
One of Miglio’s favorite parts of the renovations is a “speakeasy” they’ve created in the basement.
In the speakeasy, there’s a concession bar for snacks and drinks, places for people to gather and put their drinks and snacks down during intermission or other events.
The ambiance has been transformed by the renovations. They painted the original white, bumpy walls of the foundation to look like rocks pieced together and used wooden beams to add a cozy feel.
Bert Bernardi, co-producer of Pantochino Productions Inc., a popular theater company for children’s entertainment and who perform in the MAC theater, calls the upgrades “amazing.”
“From the moment one steps foot in the lobby, you know you’ve arrived at someplace warm and welcoming,” Bernardi said. “The main hall looks positively spiffy wearing a fresh coat of paint and decked out with streamlined room-darkening shades. “
Bernardi said the audience might not notice the new stage flooring and upgraded sound equipment, but the performers sure do.
He said Miglio has “created wonderful opportunities, performances and programs for all ages.”
“The MAC inspires, educates and encourages creativity,” he said. MAC’s reach extends to many forms of art, including music, dance, writing, photography, films.
The quaint space is also the performance venue for Milford Arts Council’s Eastbound Theater, and can be rented by the public for ceremonies, events, parties. Anyone can be a member of Milford Arts Council, including patrons.
Miglio said she loves the communication that art facilitates, the collaboration, the power of art for bringing people together.
Miglio graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, had a career illustrating children’s books and once performed in musical theater statewide.
Miglio said Milford Arts Council receives incredible support from the city, maybe more than any other arts council in the state receives locally.
Mayor Ben Blake said he grew up surrounded by “friends and family who were terrifically talented painters, performers, sculptors and musicians,” and even though he doesn’t have artistic talents himself, he admires those who “create.”
“Creativity and the arts are at the core of successful society – and, in Milford, the MAC is at the core of our arts scene. The MAC cultivates the programs, projects and performances which inspire culture, elevate spirits, and motivate communities,” he said.
He said MAC has always been a very successful investment that has “paid back huge dividends to Milford.”
Artist Brechin Morgan, who stopped in to the MAC recently to review an exhibit, said Milford Arts Council is among the most active in the state and a strong arts council draws people to Milford.
“My door is always open,” Miglio said.