Southington Community Cultural Arts (SCCA) has been transforming the historic Gura Building in the center of Southington in to a community arts center where all artists can create. Now, with the assistance of a $118,000 grant from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at Main Street Community Foundation, residents with disabilities will be able to transform blank canvases and participate in many forms of creative expression through the Uarts (Universal Arts) program, a program designed specifically for them.

In May 2014, SCCA was chosen by the Connecticut Office of the Arts as a Uarts facility for the Central Connecticut region. Uarts provides accessibility, engagement, resources and opportunities for people with a wide variety of mental and physical disabilities.

“The program will help this underserved population tap into their creativity and ensure quality of life and personal fulfillment,” said Mary DeCroce, the Executive Director for SCCA and an artist herself.

A large workroom on the second floor of the Gura Building will serve as an artisan workshop and the home of the Uarts program. Community artists will be trained and serve as mentors to program participants. Products that will be created include ceramics, drawings, paintings, textile art, fashion accessories and jewelry.

“Items created as part of the program will be sold in the first floor retail store, giving the artists added income and a sense of pride and accomplishment,” stated Mary DeCroce.

“The Uarts program will be another partner in a range of activities offered in Southington to afford those with disabilities a more enriching life and to connect them to the community,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of Main Street Community Foundation.