Jaclyn Giuntini
  • Visual Arts- Digital Art & Design
  • Class of 2012
  • Somers, NY

Eastern Connecticut State University Student Jaclyn Giuntini of Somers Supports Award-Winning Exhibition

2013 Jun 4

Connecticut Main Street Center, a statewide nonprofit agency that inspires great Connecticut downtowns, recently announced that "End of an Era: Past Identity/Future Vision" is the recipient of a 2013 Award of Excellence in the Historic Preservation category. The exhibition is the work of Eastern Connecticut State University Visual Arts Professor June Bisantz and History Lecturer Jamie Eves. Winners of this prestigious award actively champion the revitalization and economic development of downtowns across Connecticut through various initiatives including rebuilding or redesigning downtown spaces.

Publicity materials for the exhibit were designed by Eastern Connecticut State University visual arts students. Jaclyn Giuntini '12 of Somers, NY, assisted in designing the promotional materials through participation in Bisantz's spring 2012 semester Art Exhibition Design Class.

The exhibition was presented by the Windham Textile and History Museum at the ArtSpace Gallery in Willimantic late last year. "End of an Era" featured large photographs by Connecticut artist Harrison Judd that depicted the American Thread Mill Smokestack as the last symbol of Willimantic's industrial past. The smokestack defined Willimantic's identity until fall 2011, when storm damage forced its demolition. The exhibition documented the demolition from the first hit of the wrecking ball to the last pile of bricks. The exhibition's catalog featured an essay by Eves, who is also the executive director of the Windham Textile and History Museum, along with a short essay by Maurice Sendak, recently deceased author and illustrator.

The recipients of the award include Harrison Judd, Eastern Connecticut State University, Thread City Development, Inc., Windham Textile and History Museum, the Town of Windham, TBS Properties, Windham Region Chamber of Commerce, and ArtSpace (Windham Gallery).

"Connecticut's city centers are critical drivers of commerce and competitiveness," said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. "I applaud the 2013 award winners for their efforts to make Connecticut's downtowns thrive. The collaboration to create more livable communities is to the benefit of all Connecticut's residents."