Lavietes Room Gets a New Look
This Alex Domonkos painting now graces a wall in the Lavietes Room. (Photo by Fred Ortoli)
The Raymond P. Lavietes Room at Valley United Way has a new look after Alex Domonkos, Tele-Media of Western Connecticut and Fred Ortoli teamed up to produce a totally new look. Alex is a well known local artist. Tele-Media has been producing the annual Valley United Way video for years and Fred is a renowned local photographer and member of the Board of Directors at Valley United Way. Several years ago, Alex produced a number of backdrops featuring the United Way logo for a video that Tele-Media was producing for a Naugatuck United Way campaign video. The large canvas was also later featured in another campaign video made for Valley United Way. Earlier this year, Tele-Media producer, Liz Kennard contacted Valley United Way to see if there was interest in the canvas. Executive Director Jack Walsh was quick to jump at the opportunity. "Ray and Estelle Lavietes had provided the original art work and design for the room, but we did not have any 'United Way' art hanging in the room. Alex's painting was a natural addition to the room." There was one problem, the large painting was unframed. That's where Fred Ortoli stepped in. After noticing the picture while attending a board meeting, he offered his services to frame the picture and hang it. The frame was added and the picture was hung. Alex then returned to United Way to sign his original work. Walsh said, "We are grateful to Tele-Media for offering this painting to Valley United Way. Alex has done a lot of work for us down through the years, and this will be a lasting memory of his contributions as well as a vivid reminder of United Way to everyone who uses the room. A special thanks is owed to Fred for his efforts in making the framing and hanging possible." Walsh pointed out that the room is in constant use not only for United Way business, but also for a variety of community efforts. |
