Over 60 members of the Conway community gathered at the school on Friday, September 18, for an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration at our Community Open House.
The evening brought together a wide range of people who make Conway’s work possible and meaningful—including alums, neighbors, prospective students and clients, former project partners, local nonprofit leaders, and community supporters. Several of our local legislators, including Lindsay Sabadosa, State Representative, 1st Hampshire District; Mindy Domb, State Representative; Koby Gardner-Levine, Regional Manager for Congressman Jim McGovern; and Debby Pastrich, Ward Two City Councilor also came out to hear about the issues impacting local communities and how the Conway School is helping meet the growing need. Attendees explored student projects, learned more about Conway’s impact in communities throughout the region, and had the opportunity to connect with current students, faculty, and staff.
We were especially grateful to hear from local leaders and former project clients Aaron Vega of Holyoke and Billy Spitzer of the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, who shared remarks about the value and impact of Conway’s community projects and the role the school plays in supporting communities through design and planning. Vega shared how a Conway student project is helping to bring the community together by transforming a parking lot in Holyoke into a community cultural district designated by the Mass Cultural Council, while Spitzer noted the value of a student design project in Atkins Corner in helping to think through the redesign of areas of Amherst impacted by the closure of Hampshire College.
The evening was a powerful reflection of Conway’s place in the community—and of the many people who believe in, contribute to, and champion the school’s work. Thank you to all our Village Hill neighbors, community leaders and partners, alums, and friends who joined us and shared a conversation, explored a project, or helped welcome new members of the Conway community. None of our work would be possible without all of you!
Couldn’t make it? We’d still love to connect. To learn more about Conway, our community projects, and ways to get involved, reach out to connect@csld.edu.
