From homeless shelter to art gallery

Derby (WTNH) - The former Spooner House in Derby has a new life catering to artists.

The rooms where the Spooner House homeless shelter used to have rows of bunk beds is going to be studio space. For a young artist like Brittany Thornton, having a place to work on and show her photography is very important.

"It's a good outlet, a good place for me to be when I have something I need to do where I just to get away. There's not a lot for teens in this area really," said Brittany Thornton, Valley Arts Council.

And there were not a lot of places for artists to show their work in the Naugatuck Valley, until the Valley Arts Council (VAC) opened up a gallery in downtown Derby last year. And with that increased visibility came an increase in membership to over 100 members.

"When the city agreed to give up this building, things just amped up even more so now we're stepping up our whole game," said Steve DiRienzo, Vice President, VAC.

When Spooner House moved to a bigger better building in Shelton, the Arts Council started renovating an old firehouse two blocks from the Green. From here they'll run classes and rent space to artists who need a place to work. It's a way of bringing area artists together to encourage each other.

"They worked me into getting my artwork in the gallery and now I find myself taking pictures more and it's good because there's a place for me to put it besides my own house," Brittany said.

"You know, we believe art and culture can transform a community and we're kind of proving that," said DiRienzo.

And the hope is this will start a long lasting love affair between the Valley and the arts.