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Activist Art by ARTivists is 'justice' work. It gives voice to the silenced, or marginalized, to better understand our collective humanity and the earth we share. Its public presence provides an opportunity for conversation and compassionate change. Few artists claim this space beyond the protest signs and posters. For them and their work, we offer our brave, safe creative space in Nelson's honor.

Nelson 'Carty' Ford Memorial Gallery, to be dedicated on April 30^th, is an integrated gallery in the gathering spaces and walkways of WPAA-TV and Community Media Center. Nelson served on the Board of Directors from 2015-17. Subsequently, he served as the arts ambassador. His fine art series 'Bricks in Search of Words' graced our space until his passing in Dec 2023, said Artistic Director Josiah Houston. He influenced the use of public art to solve problems. The organization’s journey into #MoreThanTV began as a #PowerfulWildFree4Arts Project a.k.a. tiger mural to resolve a blight problem on the north side of their renovated 1924 cow barn. The tiger now called Hercules was a literal stretch for Ryan Christenson #Arcy who is now an internationally renowned muralist.

Nelson supported the permanent installation of #StreetshotZ by photographer Charles Buzinsky. This remains the featured installation of photographs, a book, and a digital display which actively engages viewers to support programs for their housing and food insecure neighbors.

Flipped from the 1960s Civil Rights headlines "We Are Not Like You" series by Brother Iyaba Ibo Mandingo will provoke necessary discussion of our shared 'differently' history. It was acquired this month. Source materials will be part of the installation.

The sculpture 'Conversation' by Ann Lehman, ' Mission in Mosaic' by Gallery53 artists, Wally political cartoons by Kevin Markowski are in the collection. Musicians may appreciate the reflective take on Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” Album Cover on loan from photographer and music man Robert Sims.

More about Carty: A 1963 graduate of Paier Art School he held day jobs as a graphic designer and pursued fine arts and his interest in history. His fine art was exhibited from 1991 until his passing. He began his major work The Awakening in a scroll 2 ft. by more than 500 ft. It explored the evolution of One Race with many faces, colors, cultures, and nations.

Producers of Community Media invest themselves: Some to make-a-difference. For Community Media Day Oct 20th WPAA-TV is honored to announce the that local Producer Georgian Lussier is being recognized for her investment in informing her viewers as recipient of the Rika Welsh Award from the NorthEast Region Alliance for Community Media

LOCAL TV HOST WINS MEDIA AWARD FOR VALUE OF CONTENT

Georgian Lussier, a Wallingford resident, will be traveling to Portland Maine Oct 22^nd to accept the Alliance for Community Media Rika Welsh Award given to community television producers who are successfully empowering the community they have chosen to serve; achieving the goal of creating make-a-difference community television.

The committee said “We picked Georgian for the impact her program "MidLife Matters" has on her guests, their causes and the community at-large”. With a mix of wisdom and wit, she discovers stories which are shared in conversation as TV. Georgian’s story is representative of those she uncovers about aging well.  Like her guest she is between age 40 and 75. Her adventure in cultivating impactful stories began in midlife. She is significantly involved in the program production. Each 30 minutes segment requires an equivalent number of hours to produce from guest identification, prep, scheduling, outlining, studio work and then video editing.

The executive director at the station where MidLife Matters is produced says “I have had the privilege to meet all Georgian's guests and hear first-hand how the experience of discovering their own story was unexpectedly transforming.

Georgian has produced her show "MidLife Matters" for the past 3 and half years. It has included a variety of journey stories as well as specific content about various topics such as women's health, employment, loss, addiction, care giving, continuing education, veterans, and so much more. She has made connections with all her guests and has helped to get their messages out to the community.

Culling from her experiences she has written 5 Ways to Grow after 5O available on Amazon. She is also a workshop presenter developing a program called Advice to Your Younger Self:  Celebrate Your Story which provides insight for turning adversity into advocacy, finding your inside voice and networking.

Georgian is a Human Resource professional committed to helping women get the most out of midlife personally and professionally. Programs can be seen on WPAA-TV in Wallingford and on YouTube.