Alumni Arts Night

At Homecoming this fall, Brunswick alumni were the first to perform and showcase their art in the newly renovated arts center, former home of Burke Gymnasium, locker rooms and the old weight room.  The spectacularly transformed spaces, pictured in this article are filled with Upper School students daily and transform to upscale galleries and performance venues for an event.

Friday evening of Homecoming was to be the traditional bonfire and pep rally in the backfield with artistic events indoors.  Unfortunately, the bonfire was cancelled due to rain, so the evening was dedicated to alumni artists.  Those in attendance enjoyed refreshments, as they strolled through the art galleries which line the lobby of the new Baker Theater.   Animated artwork by Aaron Duffy ‘04 was projected on the wall as alumni arrived in the lobby of the building setting the scene for the remainder of the gallery.  The art work varied from the familiar New England scenes of Robert Selkowitz ’69 to beautiful pieces of carpentry by shop teacher Sasha Bulazel ’83.  There were almost twenty alumni artists, including several Greenwich Academy alumnae. 

As folks wandered through to the theater lobby Alexander Constantine, Upper and Middle School choral teacher, was playing the grand piano.  Joining him for much of the evening was Michael Szeto ’06 on the violin.  It was a special treat to haveMichael return to Brunswick as he has been missed since he graduated and headed for Columbia.  Throughout the evening guests wandered into the Blackbox Theater where Matt Heineman’01 and Matt Wiggins’02 were previewing their film, “The Young Americans Project.”  In the penultimate venue for music, the new 410 seat Baker Theater, Billy Hartong’92 and his acoustic rock band, “Breaking Laces” staged a show starting at 7pm.  Despite the rain outside spirits inside were high and humming.

We hope that those of you who could not attend the Alumni Arts Night will be able to visit the new renovated Burke gymnasium, now the Brunswick Center for the Arts.  Stop by the alumni office anytime for a casual tour.