Arts Infusion Coming To Hodges Square

Officials with and the city said at a press conference today that a $100,000 state grant will go toward artistic programs in the Hodges Square neighborhood.

New London Landmarks received the grant through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts. Neighbors will partner with local residents involved in the visual and performing arts over the course of the one-year grant to say what they would like to see take place in the neighborhood.

"I want all the people who live and work in this neighborhood to create something out of what has been a historic neighborhood," said Sandra Chalk, executive director of New London Landmarks.

Mayor Daryl Finizio said he promised during his campaign that he would work toward revitalizing Hodges Square and East New London to help bring them into closer connection with downtown. He said that due to the small size of the neighborhood, revitalization can take place without an overwhelming amount of resources.

"Hopefully this grant will be the first step in an ongoing effort to revitalize Hodges Square," said Finizio.

New London also recently received state funds for the arts when the Department of Economic and Community Development to . This money will be used for the creation of four new downtown murals.

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