School of Visual & Performing Arts

Who We Are

              ABOUT US
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut Is the heart of the region’s creativity to help communities connect and thrive.  We are a 501C-3 and regional service organization serving 10-towns in the Greater Danbury area. Our aspiration is to improve access and growth of arts and culture to improve quality of life and the economy.
Amy Salerno, Artist, Accessible Art participant
              ABOUT US

Meet our staff and team of volunteers

whose work allows us to advance our vision and to stay relevant and active participants in the faceted conversation that is the arts, history, and culture.

 

Contact Us for Volunteer Opportunities
Roxy, Marlee, Lisa, and Tonia

OUR STAFF & TEAM

Lisa Scails
Lisa Scails

Executive Director

Lisa joined the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut in 2007 with a background in civil rights, social service, and small business entrepreneur. She immediately developed a model of services for the Cultural Alliance that is still relevant today; making art more accessible, providing resources to support professional and organizational growth, and creating opportunities for people to connect. Lisa serves on the Private Sector Network Council for American for the Arts, and enjoys music and dance.
Antonia (Tonia) Schachter

Antonia (Tonia) Schachter

Digital Marketing Strategist

Tonia’s strong writing skills is what brought her to us, but social media is what she handles mostly. And she is Lisa’s right hand. 😉

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors are our behind-the-scene Gurus. They lend their expertise, participate in committees, represent us at functions, and actively fundraise, all the while working tirelessly to adopt sound, ethical governance.  
Lew Wallace

Lew Wallace

Chair, Board of Director

Lew is the founder of the Cultural Alliance and It was his brain child that began our story and lead us here today. Lew is the Director with CommonFund, an investment management firm in Wilton.
Andrea Gartner

Andrea Gartner

Vice Chair, Board of Director

Andrea is the owner of Pour Me Cafe, Danbury.  She is passionate about revitalizing Danbury’s urban core to create a cultural, artistic, and prosperous place.
Dr. Phil Segan

Dr. Phil Segan

Secretary, Board of Director

Phil is an experienced grants specialist and data researcher. An arts collector and music lover. He is also serves on the Board with the Danbury Concert Association.
Jennifer Castagna

Jennifer Castagna

Treasurer, Board of Director

Jennifer is Assistant Vice President for People’s United Bank. She Co-Chairs our signature event -the Business Supports the Arts Awards breakfast.
Hal Kurfehs

Hal Kurfehs

Board of Director

Hal is our economic development expert and always ready on the subject. A former Advertising professional, Hal is the Vice President of Coldwell Banker Commercial.
Dawn Kaam

Dawn Kaam

Board of Director

Dawn is a real estate agent but dance and horticulture, especially orchids 😉 are her creative passions. She helps with outreach. Dawn is a Realtor for William Pitt Sotheby’s.
Nicole Almeida

Nicole Almeida

Board of Director

Dancer and former owner of Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio. Nicole assists with her creative ideas and event planning.  She is Co-Chair of the Business Supports the Arts Awards breakfast.
Robert Crawford

Robert Crawford

Board of Director

Bob helps with outreach and event planning. A professional artist, you will find his paintings on the cover of major magazines such as Fortune, Business Week, and others!
Paul Steinmetz

Paul Steinmetz

Board of Director

Paul is the Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs with Western Connecticut State University.  He is our liasion with WCSU and helps us with grants, events, and PR for the Alliance.
Vicki Taylor-Bloch

Vicki Taylor-Bloch

Board of Director

Vicki is not only an interior design genius, but she also brings over 17 years as a supporter and community activist of local non-profit organizations. Vicki is a strategist and knows how to get things done!

Dennis Daugherty

Dennis Daugherty

Board of Director

Dennis is Chairman of the Western CT Chapter of SCORE, a national service organization. He also sits on the Legislative Council of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce.

Paula Woodhouse

Paula Woodhouse

Board of Director

Paula’s financial expertise expands our resources to help creative entreprenurs and nonprofits.  Paula is a Commercial Lender at Savings Bank of Danbury and  responsible for managing a commercial loan portfolio including developing and maintaining business lending relationships.

Emily Anne Carney

Emily Anne Carney

Board of Director

Emily is a professional writer and adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University. She assists with grants, fundraising and community outreach.

Joseph Keneally

Joseph Keneally

Board of Director

Joseph brings extensive and valuable non-profit experience to our board. He has been an avid supporter of community organizations for 20 years in his hometown of Sherman, Connecticut. Joe helps with membership and fundraising.

We are supported by public funding, corporate and private contributions, and by our members.

We Thank Our Contributors

 

              GIVING HELPS OUR MISSION
  • SCORE
  • People's Bank
  • Tarol Samuelson
  • Union Savings Bank
  • M&T Bank
  • Maron Hotel
  • Chris Plaisted

Major Supporters

Art Angels

Andrea Gartner
Neil and Lisi Marcus
Lew and Rosemarie Wallace

Influencers

Steve and Lauren Greenberg

Breakfast Supporters

Allison Stockel
Appraisal Alliance
Arthur Murray
Bob Keller
Brookfield Craft Center
Business and Industry Foundation
Byrd’s Books
Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts
Chris Plaisted design, LLC
City of Danbury
CT Dream Team
Coltt, Inc.
Dawn Kaam
Danbury Fair
Dental Associates
Greystar
Hal Kurfehs
Hancock Hall
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
Ival Stratford-Kovner
Leahy’s Fuel, Inc
Lew Wallace
Maron Hotel
Mary Rindfleisch
Matt Knickerbocker
Mothership Bakery
People’s United Bank
Phillip E. Segan
Pour Me Café
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield Theatre Barn
Rist Innovations, Inc.
Ryer Associates, Inc.
Savings Bank of Danbury
Seventy2 Architects
Sikorsky Financial Credit Union
Sophie M&N Inc. Events
Townsquare Media
Union Savings Bank
Western Connecticut State University
Whip Salon
Ying Wah Laundry & Dry Cleaner
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