Twenty four Years & Still Going Strong in Hartford

A message from Lena Rodriguez, the President/CEO of the Community Renewal Team (CRT), who run the National Arts Program® in Hartford, CT was printed inside the program for the show.  Rodriguez states that, “It has truly been a labor of love for CRT to participate in the National Arts Program®. As a human service agency, our work helps people move from poverty to independence. We strive to give individuals and families the tools and skills they need to become self-sufficient and meet challenges in their lives. We believe that art can help us reach this mission. We are more convinced than ever that our 24th National Arts Program® exhibit can be a means of reaching children, rewarding creativity and allowing people the confidence and pride of seeing themselves as artists.” 

 

This statement set a powerful tone for the event and was among the first things attendees saw upon opening the program.  These words not only provide hope, but encouragement to those from all backgrounds and situations to participate in the arts. 

 

The NAP could not say it any better and are truly grateful to have a partner who strongly believes in the positive role art plays in people’s lives.  Over the years, our purpose has never changed, nor has our mission.  We salute thousands of artists everyday for having the courage to share their artwork, including this year’s 169 artists who were able to see themselves as the artists that they really are in our Hartford exhibition.