BRIDGEPORT CITY HALL AND MMGC TO HOST YOUTH ART EXHIBITION HONORING LOCAL HEROES

[Communications]

BRIDGEPORT CITY HALL AND MMGC TO HOST YOUTH ART EXHIBITION HONORING LOCAL HEROES   "ROOTED IN COMMUNITY: PORTRAITS OF EVERYDAY HEROES, CHAPTER 2" MOVES TO CITY HALL FOR PUBLIC VIEWING     Following its presentation at the Housatonic Museum of Art, Rooted in Community: Portraits of Everyday Heroes, Chapter 2 is being moved to Bridgeport City Hall and the Margaret E. Morton Government Center for the public to enjoy and view from Monday, July 27 through Friday, August 8. The City Hall exhibition offers residents, visitors, city employees, and community partners another opportunity to experience youth-created portraits celebrating local role models, mentorship, and the power of community through art.   Originally presented by Catalyst CT in partnership with the Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA), the exhibition opened with a public reception on Thursday, June 4 at HMA and remained on display through July 10. The exhibit brought together a collection of work highlighting both the creativity of young local artists and the individuals helping shape a stronger Bridgeport.   Through deeply personal and community-centered artwork, participating youth explored the lives and impact of local "Everyday Heroes," whose mentorship, leadership, and compassion have made a lasting difference in their neighborhoods and in the lives of young people across Bridgeport, the city they call home.   Now in its fourth year, the exhibition is made possible by the generous support of The Eileen Harris Norton Foundation. The initiative continues to provide participants with opportunities to strengthen creative skills, build confidence, and connect with artists, mentors, and community leaders. The program is supported through Catalyst CT's ongoing youth development efforts and its partnership with the Housatonic Museum of Art, which has helped expand access to arts education and creative opportunities for youth in Bridgeport.   Rooted in Community: Portraits of Everyday Heroes, Chapter 2 reflects the impact of connection, creativity, and community investment, while offering young people a platform to share their voices, perspectives, and experiences through art.   About Catalyst CT: Catalyst CT works diligently to be a part of the solution to reduce youth and gun violence, advocate for healthier communities, and create a positive impact that extends far beyond today for the underserved and marginalized youth, families, and neighborhoods throughout Southwestern CT and beyond. To learn more, visit catalystct.org.   About the Housatonic Museum of Art: The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) holds one of the largest art collections of any community college in the United States with over 7,000 artworks. The focus of the HMA is modern and contemporary American and European art, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Cindy Sherman, and Jenny Holzer. The collection also includes artwork from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Unlike most campus museums, the HMA displays selections of its collection throughout CT State Housatonic. Visitors also enjoy the special exhibitions and programs offered in the Burt Chernow Galleries. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit HousatonicMuseum.org.