
The planned purchase of the University of Connecticut’s Torrington campus by Five Points Gallery has been completed, thanks to the leadership of Center Director Judith McElhone. Photo submitted
Judith McElhone’s lofty vision for creating a world-class contemporary art center in northwest Connecticut has taken flight. On June 30, closing papers were signed transferring ownership of the former University of Connecticut Regional Campus in Torrington to Five Points Center for the Visual Arts, of which McElhone is founder and executive director.
“It was two months and two years in the making,” said McElhone, referring to the timeframe since submitting a letter of interest to purchase the shuttered campus on University Drive, which has a 30,000-square-foot building and 90 acres.
“With the purchase of the campus facility, we will intensify our efforts to encourage exploration among cutting-edge artists while opening new avenues of community interaction.”
The deal transfers ownership of the main building and slightly more than 22 acres from UConn to Five Points. The remainder of the unimproved acreage is being leased by the City of Torrington to Five Points for $1 a year for 20 years, with an eventual option to buy in the future.
The long-awaited transaction took place with little fanfare due to COVID-19, but McElhone said she plans to “do a major launch party on the campus in September,” amid a spectacular autumn backdrop.
“COVID-19 is impacting everything,” but it isn’t stopping progress, said McElhone. “The building itself is almost turn-key, and we are retrofitting artist work spaces. As soon as we get settled in, we will hold outside programming. The idea is to use the land in a safe way — and it’s much safer outside with COVID-19.”
The immediate goal, she said, is to create a safe, welcoming outdoor space for artists, friends, neighbors and visitors. “Plein-air painting, drawing marathons, concerts and outdoor movies can provide much-needed sanctuaries for healing and creating. Seldom has the world needed these collaborations more than today.”
Overall, said McElhone, the transformation of the property will create a unique, sustainable multi-level visual arts center and adjacent art park that will strengthen the social fabric and economic growth of the region. At capacity, the center is expected to generate 20 new full-time positions and 15 part-time teaching and staff positions. “When you bring in artists, economic development follows,” she noted.
The center’s executive director said the acquisition will “solidify Five Points Center as among the most progressive arts organizations in New England.”
Future plans include renovation of the main campus to include fully equipped artists workspaces including studios for painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and print, a bio-lab, digital lab, darkroom and courtyard sensory garden. The existing 245-seat auditorium and commercial kitchen will allow for large indoor gatherings and the 90-acre art park will showcase sculptures created by regional, national and international artists.
One of the most important aspects of the new center, said McElhone, will be the Lynchpin Program, envisioned as “a Thinktank for artists to collaborate and experiment.” Thinktank artists, she said, will be selected for their interest in issues impacting everyday life. “There will be an emphasis on the environment and planet sustainability,” she said.
Funds raised combined with grants will cover needed renovation, facility and program needs. The actor and musician Kevin Bacon, who has a home in Litchfield County, is the honorary chair of the new Arts Center’s fundraising campaign.
McElhone, a lifelong artist who taught painting at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted for many years before founding Five Points Gallery in 2012, marveled at how a plan to open a humble summer storefront art gallery in the heart of Torrington has taken on a life of its own.
“Who knew?” said McElhone, that the success of that temporary space would lead to the founding of a permanent Five Points Gallery, as a dedicated space to exhibit works by prominent regional, national and international contemporary artists. At one time, she mused, she had to practically beg artists to exhibit in Torrington, and now she is “bombarded” with applications from Connecticut and beyond.
Today, Five Points Center for the Visual Arts is a multifaceted contemporary art initiative that includes the Five Points Gallery, a 2,800-square-foot space composed of three adjacent galleries in downtown Torrington; a consortium with Hartford Art School/University of Hartford, University of Connecticut College of Art and Northwestern Connecticut Community College, where interns learn professional gallery management and receive training as docents; and the Five Points Gallery/Hartford Art School Launchpad Initiative, a pilot incubator program to support emerging artists and recent graduates of the Hartford Art School through affordable studio space and mentoring programs.
The center also includes the Five Points Annex, a community pop-up gallery and exhibition space managed by the Launchpad artists, located two doors from Five Points Gallery in Torrington; and an annual lecture series featuring influential members of the national art world. Past speakers have included Ann Temkin, MoMA’s chief curator for painting and sculpture; Milton Esterow editor and publisher of ARTnews; Agnes Gund, president emerita of MoMA; and celebrated painters, Eric Fischl, Robert Berlind and Maureen Gallace.
McElhone credits staff, volunteers and supporters for helping to write the newest chapter in the center’s history. “They are all wonderful people who understand that the arts are more than a commodity,” and that the interaction between arts and science “can make a big difference in the world.”
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”
Milo Ellison sends a fly ball to left field, bringing home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn in a walk-off win for the Canaan Pirates June 11.
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Pirates advanced to the league championship after a comeback victory over the Tri-Town Red Sox Wednesday, June 11.
Down 3-2 with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 6th inning, "Mighty" Milo Ellison stepped up to the plate and launched a fly ball deep to left field. The single brought home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn for a walk-off Pirates win.
"Milo did it," shouted a teammate. "Let's hear it for Milo!"
Elite pitching from both sides kept the game close. Starter Sam Hahn pitched five and one-third innings for the Pirates and recorded 10 strikeouts. For the Red Sox, Joey B. struck out 11 batters over five innings.
Sam Hahn threw 10 strikeouts for the Pirates against the Tri-Town Red Sox June 11.Photo by Riley Klein
Milo Ellison led the Pirates offensively, batting 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Sam Norbit logged an RBI and went 1-for-2 at the plate for Canaan.
"Nothing like a walk-off," said a spectator after the Pirates won 4-3.
Canaan, which includes players aged 10-12 from the six Region One towns and Norfolk, will face top-ranked JRC Transportation in the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League title game.
The Pirates rejoice after winning the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League semifinal game.Photo by Riley Klein
The Pirates are the reigning champs of District 6 and have a 10-2 record this season. Brody Ohler, who pitched the win in last year's championship, is expected to start on the mound once again for Canaan.
JRC Transportation led the league this season with a record of 11-1. Canaan delivered JRC its lone loss 1-0 on May 27, but JRC defeated Canaan 15-4 in the June 6 rematch.
The championship will be played at Reeves Field in Thomaston Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m.
The Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League Majors Pirates have a chance to go back-to-back in District 6.Photo by Riley Klein