Take an Arts Break!
An Arts Break is entertaining and stress-reducing, and can be interactive as
well as educational. We encourage you to include one or more Arts Breaks in
your campaign. Here's a list of possibilities; feel free to contact them directly
or ask the Arts Council for help in making arrangements.
In addition, representatives from 2008 United Arts Campaign grant recipients are also available to speak at
your company. Please call the Arts Council and we'll help you book the right speaker for your event.
Lunch & Learn
The Art of Turning Your Desk Mess into Success, in 20 Minutes or Less. ($100)
Do paper piles block your creativity? Does email overload prevent you from achieving the results you want? In a
fun, interactive session, Dr. Doreen Stern, aka The Desk Docktor, will help you identify your true desires and show
you how to take small steps toward attaining them. www.TheDeskDocktor.com
Dr. Doreen Stern - (860) 293-1619
Calligraphy ($125)
Intro to Basic Calligraphy, 45 minutes. Works well in conference room or lunch room. Max: 24 participants.
Debby Reelitz - (860) 413-9041 calligraphy@cox.net
www.letteringdesign.com
Be a Clown ($125)
Learn about the fascinating art of professional clowning from “Strummy the Clown”. Laugh along with CT's
international award-winning clown while you create your own balloon animal, discover costume choices, make up
techniques, various clown skills and discuss clown ethics.
(860) 568-4382 Strumclown785@cs.com
Cartooning ($125)
Learn the basics of caricatures or cartooning. Team up with fellow employees for a real bonding experience.
Bill Dougal - (860) 456-9041
bill@dougalart.com
www.dougalart.com
Charango ($100)
Recipient of a 2007 United Arts individual artist fellowship, Carlos is a very talented folkloric & classical
musician/teacher who plays the 4-string charango.
Carlos Boltes - (860) 243-8042
cboltes@hotmail.com
Collage Cards ($125)
Make Your Own Collage Cards, 45 minutes. Make up to five collage greeting cards, materials provided. No
experience necessary, great stress-relieving activity. Max: 20 participants.
Debby Reelitz - (860) 413-9041 calligraphy@cox.net
Drumming 101 ($200)
It's easy, fun and freeing to play the djembe/conga. The spiritual focus on rhythm and music is very relaxing.
Drums & ambiance provided.
Lance James – (860) 716-5913
lcjames66@hotmail.com
Jewelry Making ($175)
Learn how to design a necklace or bracelet with beautiful African glass, bone, semi-precious charms, beads.
Supplies included; gender-friendly atmosphere. Maximum 20 participants.
Jackie Bright - (860) 839-2189
champice@aol.com
-1Updated 4/17/08
2008 United Arts
Arts Break Ideas
Mark Twain (TBD)
Excellent portrayal of Sam Clemens - vibrant author, lecturer and family man in his prime. Solo as Sam Clemens, or
duo with wife Olivia portrayed by fellow actor Lisa Steier. Their easy rapport and sharp characterizations add an
exciting dimension to traditional Twain portrayals. www.marktwainandolivia.com
John Pogson - (860) 677-9629
jpogson@comcast.net or samandolivia@comcast.net
Line Dancing ($150)
1-2 popular country line dances taught at a beginner pace. Fun, great lunchtime exercise. 45-60 min.
Samantha Van Zilen - (860) 965-3265
sabowley@aol.com
Origami ($125)
Origami stress break/creativity workout boosts creative energies, and has potential to turn your office into a
kindergarten. No artistic background required. Supplies provided.
Jim Brunelle - (860) 674-8315, Ext 124 jbrunelle@fvac.net
Poetry ($125)
Note: April is National Poetry Month. Create a Virtual poetry Festival on your intranet. Or a Poet’s Corner by the
coffee machine. Consider a Haiku contest. [Haiku are three-line poems with 17 syllables, 5-7-5. Anyone can do
Haiku. Here’s an example:
I’m going shopping.
I won’t use my credit cards.
Well … maybe just once.
UpWords Poetry helps employees "Find Their Muse" through a fun and interactive poetry workshop. Elizabeth
designs/teaches writing programs and workshops for schools. www.upwordspoetry.com
Elizabeth Thomas - (860) 228-2719
upwordspoetry@earthlink.net
A 15-30 min poetry reading/discussion with passionate poet/columnist/writer Bessy Reyna. She can also do a
popular 1-hr workshop called "When Poetry Happens and What to do About it."
Bessy Reyna - (860) 649-6785
Holmesmanagement@snet.net
Quilt Making ($50)
The Amistad Center for Art & Culture offers employees an opportunity to create a United Arts quilt for the
workplace and learn about the importance of quilts in early African American history. No sewing experience
needed; precut squares are easy to decorate and result in an attractive wall-hanging.
Monica Scott - (860) 838-4094
monica.scott@wadsworthatheneum.org
Storytellers ($150)
2008 Individual Artist Fellowship recipient - Dr. Raouf Mama – (860) 465-4549
2006 Individual Artist Fellowship recipient - Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti - (860) 528-0733
jpresutti@sbcglobal.net
Tai Chi ($125)
Quick and easy relaxation techniques that blend Martial Arts and Tai Chi and can be done at your desk.
Stephanie Sum - (860) 688-9420
stephaniesum@yahoo.com
Ukulele ($125)
Beatle George Harrison was devoted to this dimunitive 4-stringed instrument. You can learn how to play a “fluke”,
a uke with an unusual shape. Dale & Phyllis Webb of New Hartford’s “The Magic Fluke” can bring up to a dozen
flukes and they’ll have everyone playing “Give My Regards To Broadway” by the end of lunch.
www.fleamarketmusic.com Book through Judy at the Arts Council.
-2Updated 4/17/08
2008 United Arts
Arts Break Ideas
Interactive
“Drip and Splat” ($50)
Your employees won't be able to resist pretending they're Jackson Pollock. Arts Council provides the canvas,
water-based paint, and facilitates. Result is a museum-quality work of art you'll be proud to display. Contact
the Arts Council for this activity.
Salsa Dance ($150)
Salsa is great exercise as well as the latest dance craze. Rey makes it easy and fun. No experience needed; two left
feet are welcome. www.trysalsa.com
Rey Bermudez - (860)212-0350
info@salsafundamentals.com
Caricatures ($125/1st hr; $100 addt'l hour)
Bill Dougal draws wonderful caricatures -complimentary cartoon-style portraits in less than 5 minutes.
www.dougalart.com.
Bill Dougal - (860) 456-9041
bill@dougalart.com
Caricatures ($125/1st hr; $100 addt'l hour)
Bill Hernandez makes your event memorable, a real crowd pleaser. Gather 'round as your peers are drawn in a
humorous fashion. www.partycartoons.com.
Bill Hernandez
- (203) 378-1353
bill@graphics-interactive.com
Clowns ($125 per hr)
Clowns offer face painting, balloon sculptures, clown magic.
Strummy: (860) 568-4382
Valentine: (860) 793-2765
Juggler ($200 per hr)
Juggler extraordinaire, Ethan talks & teaches while he juggles. Great with both kids and adults.
Ethan Frankel - (860) 206-1256
Karaoke (TBD)
See a side of your peers you never knew existed! Bill has been working with Karaoke Entertainment since 1987 and
is known for his sense of humor, wonderful interaction with people, professionalism. www.letsdokaraoke.com.
Bill Hernandez - (203) 378-1353
bill@graphics-interactive.com
Magician ($150 per hr)
"Michael's interactive presentations are unique and include metal bending, mind reading and impossible close up
magic. He is featured at Monday Night Magic [off-Broadway] and at the Comedy Studio in Boston."
www.michaelpaulmagic.com michaelpaulmagic@comcast.net
Office Yoga ($150 per hr)
Simple breathing and stretching techniques from the Fuller Movement Center that rejuvenate the body and
enhance mental focus can be done at the office. Receive Fuller Yoga Office Edition handout.
www.fullermovement.com
Justine Fuller - (860) 729-1389
fullermovement@gmail.com
Stoneware For Charity
Stoneware for Charity brings a selection of over 125 beautiful pieces of handmade Polish stoneware, in various
designs and patterns, to your event location. 50% of the profits will benefit United Arts.
info@stonewareforcharity.com (860) 614-0052 mpvicki@comcast.net
-3Updated 4/17/08
2008 United Arts
Arts Break Ideas
Instrumental Music
African Drumming (t.b.d.)
Drummers and dancers from African Expressions in traditional African attire. Irresistible rhythm and beat,
spectacular movement. www.artistscollective.org
Cheryl Smith - (860) 527-3205
info@artistscollective.org
Calypso ($200 solo/1.5 hr)
Calypso Caliente makes you feel like you're vacationing on the beach in the Caribbean on a warm sunny day.
Keyboard and/or steel pans; solo or duo. Duo costs $400 for 1.5 hours.
Lance James - (860) 716-5913
Lcjames66@hotmail.com
Celtic Harp ($125 per hr/solo; $200 per hr/duet)
Julie's music reflects her passion for Folk Harps, Celtic History and Traditional Irish Music. Available to entertain or
teach; solo or with other musicians, e.g. classical guitarist, Gayla Matos. www.serenestrings.com
Julie Shrake - (860) 379-6237
harpergal@serenestrings.com
Guitarists/members of CT Guitar Society ($150 per hr solo)
Judy Handler - solo; with husband Mark Levesque on mandolin & guitar, duo ($250/hr duo). Varied styles including
classical, swing, Gypsy, Brazilian. www.judyandmark.com (860) 871-1815
guitarduo@comcast.net
Lorena Garay – solo. Beautiful compositions are an irresistible blend of classical and latin rhythms.
www.lorenagaray.com (860) 778-3255 guitar@lorenagaray.com
Daniel Salazar, Jr. Artistic director of the CT Guitar Society. Contemporary style fuses traditional Spanish guitar
with Latin and World rhythms. Known to CT audiences for his highly popular Guitar Orchestra, featured at Guitar
Under the Stars concerts. www.danielsalazar.com (860) 768-7768 dsalazarjr@sbcglobal.net
Harp ($150 per hr)
Susan Knapp Thomas makes beautiful music as harpist for Hartford Symphony Orchestra.
www.harpist.waypointshome.com (860) 688-1663 sharpt2@comcast.net
Jazz Trio/Quartet
3-5 very talented Artist Collective musicians called Collective Expressions whose light jazz sound is perfect for
workplace and corporate events.
Cheryl Smith, The Artists Collective - (860) 527-3205
info@artistscollective.org
Strolling Violinist ($150 per hr)
Ben Dean is a violin/music education major at Hartt School of Music who started playing violin at age 5. Renowned
for his fiddling as well as classical violin.
Ben Dean - (860) 874-6135
dean@dacapostrings.com
Strolling Violinist & Pianist ($150 per hr)
David has been playing violin and piano for over 25 years. He plays a variety of popular, jazz and classical
selections on both instruments and can take requests on the violin.
David Dyson - (860) 523-9136
dtdyson@comcast.net
Vocalists
Acoustic ($200 per hr)
CD "Journey" featuring Gail Wade and Turning Point was featured during the 2007 United Arts campaign. Gail is a
wonderful folk, blues and jazz-oriented singer/songwriter who wrote six of the 12 songs on Journey and plays a
fine lead and rhythm guitar herself. www.gailwade.net
Gail Wade - (860) 608-5924
gwade22@hotmail.com
-4Updated 4/17/08
2008 United Arts
Arts Break Ideas
Big Band ($150 per hr)
“Satin Doll” Patty Carey, live vocals with recorded music [she normally sings with a live band but for workplace
events, she brings her band in a box]. Big band, pop, country, seasonal.
Patty Carey – (860) 463-1045.
Pacarey@snet.net
Swing & Western Swing ($150 per hr)
"Man of a Thousand Songs", Luke is a professional guitarist, singer-songwriter and cowboy jazz singer as well as
music director and Equity actor. Currently he teaches music at Watkinson School in Hartford.
Luke Nelson - (860) 645-1811
lukebop@cox.net
Opera ($200 per hr)
Connecticut Opera Express is the educational arm of CT Opera [2 women, 2 men] that performs/teaches in schools
throughout Connecticut. When they sing arias at a workplace, it's amazing. www.ctopera.org
Christen Eure - (860) 527-0713 ext. 308 christen@ctopera.org
Dance
Caribbean ($150)
Attractive, beautifully costumed young dancers with great movement and irresistible music. Their mission is to
preserve and establish the finest traditions of many unique cultures including but not limited to Afro-Caribbean
folk, roots, modern, jazz, reggae and ballet. Space needed for performance.
Judy Soutar - (860) 722-5347
Asian ($250)
Chinese cultural dances in costume with ribbons, fans, swords, chopsticks. Founder Stephanie Sum teaches dance
at the Chinese Language School of Greater Hartford, CT. asianperformingarts@yahoo.com
Stephanie Sum - (860) 688-9420
stephaniesum@yahoo.com
Young Dance Group ($200)
Under the direction of Olivia Davis, this outstanding teen dance troupe never fails to thrill audiences, moving to
music that ranges from classical to contemporary. Artists-in-residence at Charter Oak Cultural Center, these
dancers also teach and mentor Hartford youth in after school & Saturday programs. www.charteroakcenter.org
Olivia Davis - (413) 218-0013
spectruminmotion@gmail.com
Exercise & The Arts (Contact the Arts Council for more information)
Great Art Escape
Created by the campaign team at Phoenix, this outdoor arts & heritage scavenger hunt is a fun way to discover
unusual “arty facts” about Hartford. Employees get a map & guide to discovering downtown treasures; fresh air,
exercise and the opportunity to bond with teammates; and a chance to win prizes [teams that complete the 20
questions are entered into a drawing].
Arts Walk
A fun, fast-paced 45-minute walk around Hartford’s “A&E District” or to a specific cultural venue or two [a gallery
& a ride on the carousel?] Arts Council staff provides entertaining commentary. Walks start at your company.
Backstage Tours
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a theater or museum? Take a backstage tour of a local arts
organization and get a whole new perspective on how they create magic.
-5Updated 4/17/08
2008 United Arts
Arts Break Ideas