The Mattatuck Museum has announced that Cathy and Jim Smith will be this year’s honorees of the Brass Button Award Celebration on Friday, September 20, 2013. The award ceremony, sponsored by Webster Bank, American Savings Foundation, Warburg Pincus, KPMG LLP and Secor, Cassidy & McPartland, P.C., will be held at the Museum beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will include a cocktail reception with remarks by Museum Board Members and the presentation of the award by Senator Joan Hartley followed by a seated dinner in the Museum galleries. The Brass Button Award recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals in the greater Waterbury area who are dedicated to the cultural and social enrichment of their community.
Cathy and Jim Smith are life-long patrons of the arts and culture in Waterbury and throughout Connecticut. The Smiths have seen firsthand how the Arts enrich the lives of our communities. In their lifelong hometown of greater Waterbury, the Smiths have been instrumental leaders of initiatives to save and reinvigorate cultural icons and inspire the creation of new ones. They understand how the Arts not only refresh our spirits but create a sense of community and optimism for our state’s future.
“This year’s Brass Button Award could not go to more deserving recipients,” says Museum Director Bob Burns. “The Smiths are passionate about Waterbury and making it a socially and culturally rich community. They work tirelessly with many organizations to improve the quality of life for the people of this city and the surrounding region. We are proud to call them friends of the Museum and honor them with this award.”
As past president of the Mattatuck Museum, Cathy has been instrumental in many arts and cultural initiatives in the Greater Waterbury area. The Museum was the catalyst in the saving of City Hall and the restoration of the Cass Gilbert building. Cathy serves on the City Canvas Committee which is in charge of installation of art in urban areas, and she serves as president of the Fulton Park Conservancy, which is a Frederick Law Olmsted park in Waterbury.
As Chairman and CEO of Webster Bank, Jim has directed Webster’s continuous meaningful support of numerous arts and cultural organizations throughout the state, financially and through volunteerism. In 1999, Jim joined Governor Rowland and a group of citizens in a successful effort to revitalize The Palace Theater in Waterbury. He has served on The Palace board of directors since its reformation in 2002 and as its inaugural Chairman until 2005.
Tickets for this event are $125 per person. To make reservations please contact the museum at (203) 753-0381, ext. 110 or visit the website at www.mattatuckmuseum.org/BrassButton.
Visit www.MattatuckMuseum.org or call (203) 753-0381 for more information on all of the museum’s adult and children’s programs, events and exhibits. The Mattatuck Museum is operated with support from the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, CT Office of the Arts which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and is a member of the Connecticut Art Trail, a group of 16 world-class museums and historic sites (www.arttrail.org). Located at 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Free parking is located behind the building on Park Place.