State tourism officials get the grand tour

Marketing Torrington’s vibrant arts and culture scene can pay off

TORRINGTON — Every dollar the state tourism program spends generates $8 in revenue for local communities, according to state officials.

In those economic terms, Torrington stands to benefit from the flourishing art scene centered around Main and Water streets.

To connect the city to state programs, representatives from the Connecticut Office of Tourism toured six local art and cultural establishments.

“We’re doing regional outreach ... to educate towns about our marketing package,” said Jennifer Bove of the tourism office.

She said the program is free to municipalities.

“There are ways to leverage tourism that garners 40 or 50 times” the original

outreach, she said.

The Five Points Gallery and the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory for the Arts are anchors for what has become a downtown art district at Main and Water streets.

“We have 500 artists waiting to show,” gallery Executive Director Judith McElhone said during the tour.

Since its 2015 opening, the gallery has expanded to include seven buildings, which house the permanent gallery, pop-up galleries, the Five Points Annex, a space for graduate art students called the Launchpad, and soon a Launchpad extension that will offer a print shop and give artists access to large presses.

Across the street at the conservatory, the ballet school just held its graduation for 11 students. A total of 40 high school students study there, said ballet master Tim Melady. International students who attend the school can live on the premises, he said.

The Noelke Gallery sits in the middle of the expanding Five Points Gallery space. Owner John Noelke told the tourism group about the power of a small audiences.

“Artists get stimulated by the size of an (art) opening,” he said.

“Arts and culture bring folks downtown and attract businesses, which complement the arts,” said Erin Wilson, the city’s director of economic development, who attended the tour. “This is one of the largest art scenes in Litchfield County.”

Other stops on the tour included the Torrington Historical Society, The Warner Theatre, and the public art area on Franklin Street.

“Arts and culture bring folks downtown and attract businesses, which complement the arts. This is one of the largest art scenes in Litchfield County.”

Erin Wilson, Torrington’s director of economic development

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Victoria Mazzarelli, Nutmeg Conservatory artistic director, and Tim Melady, ballet master, provide information about the conservatory on Tuesday during a tour by members of the Connecticut Office of Tourism.

Five Points Gallery Executive Director Judith McElhone joins “Launch Pad” artist Rose Orelup, who creates fabric design using recycled materials. The blue dress is made from hospital bedding.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Amy Wynn, executive director of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, and Mark McEachern, executive director of the Torrington Historical Society, look at a glass sculpture during an art tour Tuesday with officials from the state Office of Tourism.