On a bright spring afternoon, Naugatuck Valley Community College students, faculty and staff, and Fulbright scholar-in-residence Felipe Karam gathered around a dozen colorful djembes and dunduns arranged in the College’s Leever Atrium. The African-inspired drum circle was the first of many interactive events at the debut of the College’s International Arts Festival on April 17. The festival also launched the College as an International Center for the Arts (ICA) for the greater-Waterbury community.

Dr. Lisa Dresdner, NVCC Associate Dean of Liberal Arts & Behavioral and Social Sciences, who leads the ICA Steering Committee, said, “establishing NVCC as an International Center for the Arts highlights the many ways in which all of the arts bridge cultures and become a way to share experiences that celebrate our diversity. We look forward to further collaborations with our students, faculty, staff, and community members next year!”

The festival, which began at 1:00 p.m. included several performances and interactive art exhibitions as unique and varied as an origami attraction led by master of origami Nghiep K. Luu, Greek folk dancing, Bachata lessons, and Irish dancing. Attendees enjoyed a variety of international fare such as rice and beans, dolma, and baba ganoush. The festival culminated with a performance by world-class violinist Felipe Karam who is NVCC’s Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence from Brazil. Karam led a special “legacy” program including original musical compositions inspired by his Fulbright teaching and performing experiences. Karam collaborated with NVCC music and dance students to give the one-of-a-kind performance.