Windows to the Soul 


 

     Danielle Way of Waterbury, founder of Rogue Studio in Waterbury, was named the winner of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s (WSO) “Windows to the Soul” artistic competition held on Saturday, May 14. All the artwork submitted for the WSO competition was visual in nature, inspired by a particular Waterbury area church, of literal or abstract interpretation.

   As a community-wide finale to the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-2011 “Windows to the Soul” concert series, the non-profit organization held the artistic competition of artistic works that depicted church windows throughout the Greater Waterbury area. WSO’s Executive Director, Steve Collins stated they hosted the competition because, “We wanted to create a venue for artistic individuals in our area to bring the beautiful windows in churches throughout the Greater Waterbury region to the attention of the general public.”

   The exhibit of artists’ entries was displayed in The Leever Atrium of the Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center where the WSO presented their season finale concert, “Windows to the Soul”. The May 14 concert featured a lesser-known composition by Ottorino Respighi, “Church Windows”. Following voting by the concert attendees, Ms. Way’s photograph “Legacies” was deemed the winner. Ms. Way’s “Legacies” photograph depicts two young children marveling at the majestic beauty of a stained-glass window rising high above them. “I’m thankful to have been noticed amongst so much talent,” stated Danielle Way. 

   A frequent photographer of portraiture and weddings at locations throughout Connecticut and New York State, Ms. Way entered the local Waterbury area competition. “In art,” she stated, “there is no such thing as right or wrong….if a piece moves someone that is the best compliment an artist can receive. That is what I seek to accomplish with all my photographs.”

   As winner of the WSO “Windows to the Soul” artistic competition, Ms. Way received a Gift Basket containing, four (4) tickets to any Waterbury Symphony Orchestra concert during the upcoming 2011-2012 season. Her winning photograph will be displayed for an extended time at the NVCC Fine Arts Center Atrium, on the WSO website and on Facebook. Ms. Way also received complimentary public relations services from the award-winning public relations agency, Branagan Communications Consultants LLC of New Milford, CT.
“We are delighted to engage with audiences on several artistic levels, including these expressions by local artists,” explained Kathryn Dennen, WSO Marketing Director. “We hope to continue to develop and expand this tradition as we look forward to our 74th season, Metamorphosis, which begins October 1, 2011.”

   To learn more about the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, and their 2011-2012 concert season, visit www.waterburysymphony.org.