Faces of New Canaan

Faces of New Canaan: Hadley Pollet

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Hadley Pollet, a 1988 New Canaan High School graduate, moved back to town one year ago after growing up here (and attending the great, bygone Center School). She returned to New Canaan after attending NYU, moving to Boston, attending RISD and launching her own fashion line and business. A success story about an entrepreneur-and-artist following her talents and doing what she loves, Pollet in recent years has become involved with LiveGirl, the locally founded girl empowerment organization, as an inspirational speaker. She and much of her line are the central figures of a May 12 LiveGirl “FemPowered Benefit” at the Carriage Barn Arts Center. In this installment of “Faces of New Canaan,” we talk to Pollet about growing up here, her singular career arc, returning to New Canaan and the LiveGirl benefit (see transcription below).

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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A former part-time program director at the defunct Outback Teen Center—a man who had been arrested by New Canaan Police following accusations that he made inappropriate comments to a group of youths—is a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed this summer. According to the complaint, the accused man while working as a residential advisor at Wesleyan University in the early-1980s sexually abused teens in his charge, in a dorm room and elsewhere. The case is proceeding in state Superior Court in Middletown. ***

The restaurant long known as ‘Chef Luis’ is now called ‘129,’ for its street number on Elm, and offers American contemporary cuisine from newly hired Executive Chef Joe Page. He brings more than 15 years of experience in kitchens across the United States and overseas.

Around Town

‘Art in the Windows’ Kicks Off Downtown Thursday

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Dozens of New Canaan shops will stay open late Thursday, as live music, artist receptions, wine tastings and other special events are held throughout the business district to mark the launch of Art in the Windows. Residents are invited to stroll the streets of New Canaan from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the 10th annual Art in the Windows. A record-70 stores are participating in this year’s event, featuring photos, paintings, sculpture and mixed media pieces from as many artists, 31 of them New Canaanites (see gallery above), according to Hilary Witmann, executive director of the Carriage Barn Arts Center. The Waveny-based nonprofit organized the event, which is sponsored by Bankwell, New Canaan Board of Realtors and Hutchinson Tree Care Specialists, in partnership with the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. “It’s great that we have more stores than ever and a lot of New Canaan artists, which is one of the things I really wanted to bring in this year, in addition to the great artists who are members of the Carriage Barn and exhibit in a lot of shows,” Witmann told NewCanaanite.com.

Around Town

Carriage Barn Arts Center’s Director To Step Down; Search for Successor Underway

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A search is underway for a new director at a prominent nonprofit organization in New Canaan after the woman who has filled the post for the past decided to step down, officials announced Tuesday. Valerie Garlick had served as executive director at Carriage Barn Arts Center for about one year, and will continue in the role through Aug. 10, according to a press release from the organization. She will take on the same role at the 1826-founded Institute Library in New Haven, according to the release. “I leave my position at the Carriage Barn with no small amount of sadness,” Garlick said in an email to members of the New Canaan Society for the Arts, which oversees the Carriage Barn.

Around Town

Letter: Farewell from Carriage Barn Arts Center Executive Co-Directors

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Dear Members, Supporters, and Friends,

As the final exhibition of the season Va Va Vroom! The Art of the Vehicle has ended, so has our tenure as Executive Co-Directors of the Carriage Barn Arts Center. It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of our resignation, which was tendered to the Board of Trustees several months ago due to differing visions for the organization. These years have been some of the most rewarding in our careers. We have enjoyed collaborating with so many fine and talented artists, volunteers, and teachers, as well as prestigious jurors.