Ball & Socket Arts Transforms Historic Connecticut Factory into Major Cultural Hub

Artist and high school art teacher Kevin Daly is leading the transformation of a 65,000-square-foot former manufacturing complex in Cheshire, Connecticut into Ball & Socket Arts, a multi-disciplinary cultural center scheduled to open in June 2017. The project involves co-founders costume designer Ilona Somogyi and New York City Ballet's Jeffrey Guimond. Acquired for $750,000 with a $1.689 million loan from Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development, the site includes buildings dating to the 1890s that once produced Union Army uniform fasteners. Architect David Arai of Meier Group Architects oversees renovations that preserve the industrial character while creating exhibition spaces, performance venues seating 150, artist studios, a cinema, and culinary facilities including a teaching kitchen and brewery. The organization aims for financial self-sufficiency through a brewery, retail concourse, and office rentals to enable free admission. Environmental remediation is targeted for spring 2016 completion with a $400,000 grant from the Town of Cheshire. Daly has already activated community engagement through the Art Garage exhibition space across the street, hosting group shows of New York and Connecticut artists and planning an October 24 art auction to benefit capital campaigns.