Shoreline Arts Alliance Partners with Schools From Local Area
Shoreline Arts Alliance Partners with Schools From Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook to Host the First Annual Shoreline Arts Alliance Unified Arts Showcase
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., Shoreline Arts Alliance will host the first annual Shoreline Arts Alliance Unified Arts Showcase at Flat Rock Gallery in Westbrook, Connecticut. This formal gallery event is the celebration of a year-long partnership with area schools to create the first Shoreline Arts Alliance Unified Arts Showcase in the State of Connecticut. Students from Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook have been creating works of art through Unified Arts classes and afterschool clubs throughout the 2025-2026 school year. Once a month, students and staff from all three school districts have met to work collaboratively on art projects, to strengthen community connections and friendships, and to develop their passion and skills as young artists. Each school has created a town-shaped puzzle piece of art that will be displayed together at the showcase, highlighting the community and regional friendship of these three school districts. This will serve as a state-wide model that will grow into a larger map as the puzzle pieces of more towns are connected in the coming years. In the years ahead, this event will continue to grow to include school districts throughout the State of Connecticut.
Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook have a long history of working closely together in the well established CAS-CIAC Unified Sports Program- bringing students with and without special needs together across the State of Connecticut to compete in athletic events and to strengthen community commitment to belonging and inclusion for all students. This year, school staff from these three towns met with Shoreline Arts Alliance Director, Eric Dillner, to collaborate on the idea to expand these regional opportunities beyond just athletics and to create a showcase and formal gallery art show to support young aspiring artists. Mr. Dillner shared his thoughts about the expanded partnership for a Unified Arts collaborative: “I’m excited to launch this initiative, highlighting Shoreline Arts Alliance’s mission to build inclusive, supportive arts communities—proving the arts can transform lives and are for everyone.” Since 1980, Shoreline Arts Alliance has been enriching the state of Connecticut and serving 24 shoreline towns as a Designated Regional State Arts Organization of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. These communities encourage, empower, and develop talented artists—transforming their lives in the process.
Dr. Kristina Martineau, Westbrook Superintendent of Schools, shared her excitement about the new program: “Our teachers in all three school districts have worked hard to create an amazing experience for our students to grow as artists together and as individuals. Our dedicated educators have spent countless hours of their time planning and leading regional events and school based activities throughout the year to teach our students how to grow as artists. And the kids have had so much fun together through it all. It has been an incredible experience and the art work our students have created this year is truly an inspiration. I am most excited to see the town inspired puzzle pieces that will be unveiled at the gallery opening event in May. I am grateful for the partnership with Shoreline Arts Alliance to support this vision of a regional unified arts model and for organizing and hosting what will be a memorable, impactful, and inspiring showcase of young artists from Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.”
Old Saybrook Public Schools Director of Student Services Sarah Smalley shared her thoughts about the strong regional partnership and the importance of continuing to strengthen opportunities for all students: “Collaborative opportunities for our students across our districts allow for the expansion of social networks organically. The ability to connect in art and community is a one of a kind experience and Old Saybrook is lucky to have neighboring districts work together to provide these occasions. Adding this event to an already rich catalog of Unified opportunities helps further our collective missions of meaningful inclusion and experiences.”
