The S.H.A.C.K. Has a Home!
We are happy to announce that The S.H.A.C.K., also known as the Sandy Hook Arts Center for Kids, has found a new home in Sandy Hook Center!
We’ve never been so excited about getting a new key!
This key will open the door to countless ways children can explore, create, and express themselves through the arts. This key opens the door to the S.H.A.C.K., but opens a whole world of possibilities as well. Our new home is located at 100 Church Hill Road, Suite 104, Sandy Hook, CT. The building is the former location of “Life’s a Peach” gift shop and is a few doors down from 100 Church Hill, The Iron Bridge. The space has plenty of parking in the large parking lot and a ramp on the side of the building making it handicap accessible and easy for parents with strollers.
The S.H.A.C.K. is in the process of obtaining our non-profit status and is currently operating under the umbrella of a well-established 501(c)3 organization, Animal Assisted Therapy Services, Inc. of West Haven (AATS). The S.H.A.C.K. will strive to bring healing through the power of the arts to the communities of Sandy Hook and Newtown. We are also partnering with Arts for Healing of New Canaan, another already established 501(c)3 organization. Both charities will serve as our mentors and help us until we acquire our own 501(c)3 status, within the next 6-12 months. AATS is setting up a bank account with People’s in Newtown to collect funds to cover our overhead and operating expenses. An announcement will be forthcoming within the next week regarding the details on where and how to donate to the tax-deductible fund.
Our Board of Directors is made up of a well-seasoned group of professionals including artists and alumni from the Newtown High School class of 1987 who, after hearing the tragic news of December 14th, wanted to do something to help the families and community.
We plan on opening our doors on February 1st and will spend the next two weeks painting and getting the store ready for children and their families. Future students can get a sneak peek at the space this coming Monday, January 21st, on Martin Luther King Day during our first FREE event, Paint & Play for Peace. We will have three therapy dogs, two drum circles, a puppet show and arts and crafts all day. Our arts center will offer free art, music and pet therapy to these in need and free or low-cost music, theatre and art classes for kids and families.
While our first event Play & Paint for Peace and the activities for that day are free, haircuts are not. The space has been generously donated by MArci Benitez, owner of Family Fun Kuts, 111 Church Hill Road, where the event will be taking place. We are grateful for their willingness to help us. Donations will be graciously accepted for The S.H.A.C.K.’s new space on the day of our event. Click below for more details about Play & Paint for Peace. Space is limited for this event so call or email today!
Contact Information: Email- sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com ~ Phone- 203.501.7424 ~ Address: 100 Church Hill Road, Suite #104, Sandy Hook, CT. 06482.
Animal Assisted Therapy Services, Inc.
The S.H.A.C.K. is a proud member of the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity, S.H.O.P., a local business organization that was designed to “help revitalize the Sandy Hook Design District, to help current merchants succeed, and to attract new businesses to the area,” according to their website. The S.H.A.C.K. will be actively involved in the many upcoming events S.H.O.P. organizizes. We support our local shop owners by shopping local and promoting their businesses and events and encourage you to do the same.
