A Community Masterpiece in Progress The Ball and Socket Arts.
- Richard Smith
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
It is a beautiful day to be in Cheshire, and the sun is shining just a little brighter on West Main Street today! If you’ve been watching the incredible transformation at Ball & Socket Arts (B&SA), you know it takes a village—but every village needs a heart, and at the center of this one is the incomparable Ilona Somogyi.
Ilona was one of the three original sparks who saw the potential in those historic factory walls when others might have just seen old bricks. She brings a world-class creative background to our hometown, and her energy is like a warm hug for the entire Cheshire arts community. Whether she’s navigating complex state grants or imagining how a gallery wall will look under the perfect light, she does it with a joyful spirit that reminds us all why local art matters.
The Dream Team: Crafting Cheshire’s Future
Ilona leads a crew of "All-Stars" who are all playing for the love of the game. Together, they are turning a 150-year-old landmark into a vibrant hub for everyone.
Lydia Blaisdell (Director of Programming): Our Conductor of Joy! Lydia scouts the amazing talent for the Artcade and coordinates the Live @ the Factory concerts. Thanks to her (and Ilona’s guidance!), over 5,500 neighbors visited last year!
Bill Conant (Facilities Manager): The "Factory Whisperer." Bill keeps the gears turning and the buildings safe so local favorites like Sweet Claude’s (the tastiest stop in town!) can serve up smiles.
The Visionary Co-Founders: Alongside Ilona, Jeffrey Guimond and Kevin Daly continue to act as the "scouts," ensuring the aesthetic and cultural soul of the project stays true to that original 2011 spark.
A Community Masterpiece in Progress
Every time you drive past the site on your way to Cheshire High or Bartlem Park, remember that this isn’t just a renovation—it’s a long-term "group hug" for our town’s history. From the Volunteer Board members—like Ron Bergamo, Karin Arai, and Regina Thornton, who donate their professional genius to balance the books and manage the legalities—to the Town of Cheshire’s own Arnett Talbot, this project is a shining example of "positivity in and out."
Why We Love B&SA: The "What If" Factor
The History: Taking a WWII-era industrial space and giving it a second life.
The Inclusivity: A place where every neighbor, student, and artist has a seat at the table.
The Wonder: A future exhibition hall and performance venue that will host our kids' first art shows!
🎨 Join the Fun!
You don't need a hard hat to experience the magic. The best way to support Ilona and the team is to show up and soak in the creativity!
Pro-Tip for Neighbors: Check out the evening events for the most "electric" atmosphere. The way the lights glow against the old factory windows is enough to make anyone feel like a kid again, full of wonder and "Kid-sized" ideas!
The main building is still evolving, with plans for a history museum and a grand performance space. It’s a bit like "long-distance tracing"—we can see the beautiful outline of what Cheshire will become, and every day, Ilona and her team are filling it in with vibrant color.
✨ Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Wonders
What an absolute joy it is to see the calendar filling up! It’s like watching a black-and-white sketch suddenly burst into a rainbow of colors. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just passing through our beautiful corner of Connecticut, there is something truly magical waiting for you behind those historic brick walls.
For the Budding Artists (Kids & Teens)
Cartoon Your Favorite Characters: (Tuesdays in March) Perfect for the young "Numlet" creators in your family! Come draw, giggle, and bring characters to life.
Needle Felt a Bunny: (Sunday, March 22) A soft, fuzzy, and totally encouraging workshop where everyone leaves with a new friend.
Graphic Novel Workshop: (Tuesdays, March 24 & 31) For the storytellers who see the world in panels and speech bubbles.
For the Grown-Up Dreamers
Writing the Absurd with Steff Sirois: (Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 PM) Why follow the rules? This workshop is all about embracing the "weird" and finding joy in the unexpected.
Diary Comics with Megan Jeffery: (Saturdays, March 21 – April 25) A wonderful way to celebrate your daily life through simple, heartfelt drawings.
Stained Glass Jewelry: (Sunday, March 22) Transform colorful glass into wearable light. It’s like making your own little piece of a cathedral window!
The Writers' Factory Poetry Workshop: (Tuesday, May 5) Join Pat Mottola for "Beyond the Frame," a chance to let your words dance in a supportive, upbeat space.
Exhibitions & Community Spirit
Workshop Gallery Hours: Swing by Friday through Sunday (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) to see the latest local masterpieces. Right now, the walls are singing with new energy!
Boardslide Exhibit Opening: (May 2, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM) A high-energy show featuring art on skateboard blanks. It’s "what if" thinking at its finest!
🍦 A Sweet Stop for the Soul
You can’t visit B&SA without a trip to Sweet Claude’s. They’ve been part of our Cheshire family for generations, and their new home at the factory is just perfect.
Pro-Tip: Grab a scoop of "Death by Chocolate" or a custom ice cream cake and sit outside.
Watching the sunset hit the factory while enjoying a treat? That’s what we call "only positivity."
🏛️ Growing Together
While you’re there for a class or a cone, take a moment to look up. Ilona Somogyi and her dedicated team are working every day to fill in the "long-distance trace" of our future museum and performance hall. Every visitor, every student, and every laughter-filled afternoon helps lay another brick in this community hug.
🌟 The "All-Star" Volunteer Squad
Behind every event and every restored brick, there are people giving their most precious gift: their time.
Tom and Ann Hearn: This dynamic duo are long-time volunteers who have been instrumental in the B&SA journey. Tom Hearn is a talented local photographer whose work has even been featured in the "Rites of Passage" exhibit, while Ann has been a steady voice of support for years.
The Docent Team: There is a dedicated group of about 30 regular volunteers who serve as docents. They are the friendly faces you see in the gallery, keeping an eye on the art and sharing their optimism about Cheshire’s future with every visitor.
Grady Hearn: A creative force behind the scenes who helped capture the project’s progress on film to share the vision with the world.
Additional Board Voices: Along with the leadership we’ve mentioned, neighbors like Anthony Carter, Roberta Havlick, Ryan Roth, Joel Renker, Courtney Cullinan, Patti Flynn Harris, and Greg Wolff all serve as directors, lending their professional "know-how" to ensure Building 1 becomes the masterpiece we all imagine.
❤️ Want to Add Your Name to the List?
The beauty of a "what if" project is that there’s always room for one more! Whether you're a "Math Whiz," a "Social Savant," or just someone who loves a good laugh and a scoop of Sweet Claude's, B&SA is always looking for:
Gallery Docents to welcome neighbors.
Event Assistants for the summer concert series.
Mentors and Artists to lead workshops.
It truly is a beautiful thing to see everyone from high school students to retired professionals working together. It’s the ultimate "positivity in and out" in action!
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