What we do
Litchfield has always been a wonderful place to visit and live. The Litchfield Arts Council was established in 2021 by Sustainable Litchfield, to further their mission ‘to improve the town’s economic well-being, equity, and respect for the finite capacity of our natural environment’ by showcasing and promoting our extensive artistic community. We are now bringing the creativity and vibrancy that lives throughout our neighborhood to light, making it an even more engaging and lively place to enjoy.
Our mission is to build awareness, accessibility, and opportunities for the public to experience arts and culture.
It is our vision that Litchfield, CT will be known as a vibrant center that supports the arts in all its forms.
Who We Are
Priscilla Jeffery
President
Priscilla Jeffery is a retired arts educator with extensive experience in arts-based community building and social justice work. She has a MS in Community Economic Development and has served on numerous community boards.
Ashley Dubin
Vice Chair
Ashley Picker Dubin, Esq. is a sixth-generation philanthropist and supporter of the arts and artists. She was previously on the junior boards of both American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, along with being an advisor to the American Tap Dance Foundation. Professionally, Ashley is an attorney at Day Pitney LLP. Ashley is also a member of the board at Connecticut Ballet.
Thomasina Levy
Treasurer
Thomasina Levy, Connecticut State Troubadour (2005/2006), is a poet and internationally recognized, award-winning musician who has led workshops and performed throughout the U.S. and Europe. She is a Teaching Artist mentor who leads workshops in music and poetry to help students discover their own creative sparks. Thomasina is a Mentor and Certified Arts Trainer in the 6 Principles of Nonviolence through the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence.
Michele Murelli
Secretary
Michele Murelli received her BA from Albertus Magnus College and MA in Art Psychotherapy from Lesley University. She self-published The Art is Powerful Medicine Coloring Book in 2015. Michele has a Professional Educator’s license in Art Education. She established Art Tripping, a Litchfield-based nonprofit.
Caylin Jensen
Social Media
Caylin Jensen, originally from Boulder, Colorado, works from her studio at The Arts Factory in Bantam, CT, specializing in abstract expressionism. In her work, she finds inspiration in nature, focusing on the detrimental impact humans have on the environment. She has exhibited work in Denver, New York City, and most recently, Washington, Connecticut.
Courtney Murray
Social Media
Courtney Murray is a professional photographer and New England lifestyle blogger. She graduated from Cazenovia College with a BA in Fine Arts with a concentration in photography and journalism. She found her true passion for photography when she documented her first wedding while she was still in college. Her photography is described as candid, emotional, editorial and timeless. When she is not photographing weddings and lifestyle sessions, you can find her travelling all over New England and beyond taking photos and writing for her New England lifestyle and travel blog.
Kerry Burns
Data
Kerry Burns is a data analyst during working hours and hobby artist in her spare time. She’s had a passion for photography since childhood, and has been experimenting exclusively with film for the last few years. She also enjoys hands-on crafting, mainly crocheting and quilting. She loves making items for friends and family, especially baby blankets and sweaters.
Robert Kwalick
Community Liaison
Currently serving as the inaugural Executive Director of Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, Robert has an extensive background in live theater. He has performed with Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Westwind Repertory in Princeton, in industrial videos, and through the ASAP Community Dance Project with Pilobolus. Performance credits include Bottom in the ballet version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tartuffe, Truffaldino in The Servant of Two Masters, Robert in Boeing Boeing, Father Flynn in Doubt, and a beloved run of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. Robert has an MFA in Acting from NIU and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from UCONN. He previously taught at the University of Memphis, Christian Brothers University, the Memphis Jewish Community Center, Carlisle School, The Lawrenceville School, Cate School, Taft Summer School, Forman School, and Cambridge School of Weston. He is a previous technical director at the Thomaston Opera House, and serves on the Board for Goshen Players. He’s directed countless plays, has extensive experience in all aspects of live production support, helped start dance programs at three independent schools, and is an RYT200 yoga teacher, and teacher and practitioner of tai chi.