Taylor Richards – Special to the Southern News
At the corner of Chapel and College street downtown sits Claire’s Corner Copia, a small cafe-style restaurant that serves multi-ethnic, vegetarian food to the downtown New Haven area. During the restaurant’s open hours, Yale students and locals flock the tiny space in pursuit of fresh ingredients and hospitable ambiance.
Until Oct. 31, the walls of Claire’s will be filled with clear photographs of young and diverse students from greater New Haven area playing and performing various instruments. These photos are part of the “Faces of Music Haven” photography exhibit by Kathleen Cei, a photojournalist and the communications and general manager of Music Haven.
Music Haven is a New Haven-based community organization run by the Haven String Quartet that provides after school music education to children in the Newhallville, Dixwell, Dwight, and Hill neighborhoods.
By performing in public spaces around New Haven, the state, and internationally, the Haven String Quartet is able to fund Music Haven’s instruments, lessons, field trips, and performances free of charge to the children’s families.
Photos of the children learning and performing by Cei is also a factor to the program. Many of these photos are on display throughout the walls of Claire’s, which features local artists every three months. “The staff has been so supportive,” said Cei. “We are always taking photos of the kids, and it’s great to have people seeing them at Claire’s.”
In Cei’s opinion, it is important that the residents of New Haven are informed of the impact this program has on the children attending these music lessons. Many of these students come from high-poverty areas of the city, and having more people aware of their blossoming talent is vital to the success of Music Haven.
“I would love for more people to know and be aware of what these kids are doing and just come out to see them. It brings a community aspect to it,” said Cei.
By showcasing these children on the walls of Claire’s Corner Copia, customers are already taking notice and getting interested. “I thought the photos were pretty touching,” said SCSU junior Maggie MacDonald. “I could actually see opportunity opening up for these children just through these pictures.”
Yale English major Briana Cavanaugh, whom often eats at Claire’s, also considered the impact of these photographs to the New Haven community over her lunch: “I think it’s great that photos of these kids are on display to all the Yale students who come here,” said Cavanaugh.
“I like how it brings awareness of the program,” said Cavanaugh, “to them by showing that there’s a lot of great things going on in New Haven outside of this campus.”
These photographs are meant to capture the essence of Music Haven: teaching young New Haven students to appreciate the art of music and empower them for their futures.
Even though Cei has only been working for Music Haven for three years, she can already see growth and improvement within the kids every day, which is something she wants to bring forth through the walls of Claire’s to the many different kinds of New Haven residents who frequent the popular cafe.
“The pictures I would take would be at concerts or amazing moments every day,” said Cei. “I see that passion and dedication in the students just going about my day. I love watching their transformation.”
Photo Credit: le Liz
Taylor Richards
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