GAP Grant! Dryden Center for Community

The Dryden Center for Community for Community is a place that brings people of all ages together for activities and events with a focus on the creative art, located at the four corners in the Village of Dryden. 

Their Grants for Arts Program (GAP grant) supported a Storytelling Festival that took place from Thursday, October 1st to Saturday, October 3rd.

Executive Director Stephanie Ortolano says: "The Festival was an opportunity to gather as community, listen to stories from local writers and storytellers from a variety of viewpoints, and to have an opportunity to learn and practice together.

"The spicy, sweet smell of mulled cider welcomed guests to the opening ceremony on the first night, with Judy Malloy as the MC. She set the scene for why stories and storytelling are important, with a little sociology and neuroscience thrown in for good measure. We are wired for stories! A panel of invited guests told their stories about how they became storytellers.

"After a variety of workshops during the day on Friday, folks gathered in the Performance Space once again on Friday night to hear Long Lost Friends, a musical storytelling troupe led by Maxwell Eller. It was a delight to hear a long-form epic from Ireland complete with musical accompaniment on harmonium, djembe and didgeridoo!

"Saturday’s events included a morning family-centered Shadow Puppet Party with Lilypad Puppet Theatre, an afternoon performance by master storyteller Jay Leeming, and an evening gathering to hear from workshop participants and a final story from Judy Malloy.

"Some people joined in for one event over the course of the 3-day festival, and some came to more than one performance. With something for all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens, we are hoping that this new annual festival will grow in years to come!"

Visit drydencenter.org to learn more about the fun things happening at the DCC!

The Grants for Arts Programs (GAP) is one of four Community Arts Partnership grants and supports public arts events in Tompkins County. GAP is part of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) "Statewide Community Regrant" program and is made possible by NYSCA with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.