The Buttonwood Tree, an arts venue that has serviced the Middletown community for nearly 15 years, is now turning to the town for help with financing the increasing demand on the venue’s facilities. According to Susan Allison, a member of Buttonwood’s board, the venue is seeking long term funding sources so that it can increase its hours of operation at the request of many attendants.
“We have received an enormous amount of support from the city, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, The Middletown Foundation for the Arts, specifically Derry D’oench [who has recently passed away],” Susan Allison said, who also said that the members of the community have been some of Buttonwood tree’s most biggest supporters.
The Buttonwood Tree has been through some difficult fiscal years in its 15 years of existence, said Susan Allison, but the organization has always managed to keeps its doors open. She also added that the venue is in need of a substantial grant from an institution or foundation
City Arts Coordinator Stephen Allison agreed that Buttonwood Tree has struggled with under-funding. A major factor is that it is difficult for small non-profit organizations to find long-term donors, according to Stephen Allison.
“They put on events outside the mainstream and that doesn’t appeal to people who are looking for personal recognition of their donations; it’s not glamorous enough,” Stephen Allison said. “It’s a difficult road, but they’ve stayed around as long as they have because of perseverance and because they’re doing the right thing.”
Susan Allison commented on the relationship between Buttonwood and the University.
“A very organized…approach involving students and faculty [of Wesleyan] could be just what the doctor ordered,” Susan Allison said at the prospect of collaboration between the venue and the University.
In an effort to help increase community awareness of the venue and cultivate better relations with Buttonwood Tree, the University will hold a poetry reading featuring this year’s Wesleyan Student Poets on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m.
The Buttonwood Tree has been a central establishment in Middletown, particularly in the North End of Main Street, since its inception in 1991. Over the years, the venue has organized open-mic events, writing workshops, dance productions, and jazz and creative music concerts, including the annual Summer’s End Music Festival. Buttonwood Tree brings in artists from around the world to perform.
“[Our mission is ] to serve residents of the North End of Middletown by offering cultural programs, stimulating interaction and community, enhancing commerce and creating a community/cultural drop-in center,” Susan Allison said.
Buttonwood Tree also runs a Kid’s Arts Program, an art-immersion workshop during the summer for children ages six to twelve. Participants receive instruction in music, visual art, and creative writing. Buttonwood Tree is also working with nearby Oddfellow’s Playhouse to create an after-school program during the school year.
According to Susan Allison, Buttonwood Tree has evolved tremendously since 1991. Before Buttonwood Tree moved into its current location, Susan Allison operated the organization out of her store Ibis Books & Gallery. In those days, Buttonwood Tree was called NEAR (North End Arts Rising) Inc.
Susan Allison said she has had many memorable moments with Buttonwood Tree. There was one year in which the Buttonwood Tree organized a journal/photography workshop for teenage mothers. At the end of the project, the mothers were invited to recite their writing live on National Public Radio (NPR).
Other memorable performances at Buttonwood Tree include poetry readings with snake motifs where the bookstore was filled with real snakes. Also John Basinger, Professor Emeritus of Theater and Sign Language, recited Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost” from memory.
Anyone interested in working with Buttonwood should visit the website at www.buttonwood.org or contact the organization at (860) 347-4957.
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