Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/4/2022
CHICOPEE – Led by Chicopee Cultural Council members Debra Sutherland and Johnny Miranda, the ChicopeeTV series “Spotlight on the Arts” serves as a canvas for creative initiatives throughout Western Mass. communities.
For Sutherland and Miranda, they shared that the project has been a collaborative effort since starting the show in the summer of 2021. Sutherland said she serves as the behind-the-scenes producer that orchestrates the props, backdrop and prep material, while Miranda graces the screen as the show’s host. Each episode of the series is filmed in one-take, which places extra weight on the duo’s preparation and talent.
“It really forces me to do a good job as the host,” said Miranda.
With a storied background in the arts, including serving as one of the owners of the community exhibit center La Diáspora, the arts have always played an essential role to Miranda. Along with stressing art’s ability to reinvigorate, revitalize and heal individuals, he said art has the ability to connect communities.
“Art is really a tool to engage the community. It’s feeling, it’s humanity, it’s really everything,” said Miranda.
According to Miranda, the show was created as a byproduct of pandemic conditions, with Miranda and Sutherland both seeking an outlet to highlight the arts in an accessible way. “For me, the show has been a silver lining of the COVID-19 situation,” said Sutherland.
Sutherland shared that production for the show is backed by an internal grant from the Chicopee Cultural Council, with the show acting as an extension of the council’s mission to promote overlooked artists throughout the community. Miranda stressed the importance of using the show to focus on local artists in Chicopee and other neighboring communities. “Our mission is to foster the arts and continue to promote artists that live here,” said Miranda.
With “Spotlight on the Arts,” the show runs the gamut of different artistic platforms, from dance companies like Bomba De Aqui, to drag performers like Priscilla Porcelain and airbrush artists like Edward “Artisto” Leon. Sutherland said she views the show as a tool for artists to make a name for themselves. “These are talented, passionate artist who are either at the beginning of their artistic journey or haven’t had the exposure they deserve,” said Sutherland.
Along with highlighting the arts, both expressed their hope that show serves as a fitting platform to represent ChicopeeTV’s resourceful abilities. Each episode is aided and composed by production director David Farnum, with Sutherland praising the abilities of Farnum and the local access TV station to provide a pivotal platform for the community. “We love ChicopeeTV, they are such a resource with their training for how to use cameras and edit videos,” said Sutherland.
Looking ahead to 2022, Miranda hopes to continue and further expand the show. “We have lots for the show, we want to offer more variety,” said Miranda. He expressed that show’s future is dependent on receiving another internal grant or donations to the Chicopee Cultural Council.
Readers interested in watching “Spotlight on the Arts” can watch the episodes at https://vimeo.com/chicopeetv. Readers can also support the show by donating to the Chicopee Cultural Council by visiting https://chicopeeculturalcouncil.co/donate.