Name: Brilliance in the Valley: Stepping Into the Shade Community Screening
Start: 2025-10-11T15:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-10-11T18:00:00-04:00
Location: Artists Collective

Brilliance in the Valley: Stepping Into the Shade Community Screening

A creative look into the Connecticut tobacco industry and its ties to the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring original art by Ellis Echevarria.
About this Event

About Stepping in the Shade Documentary

Join Host and Entertainment Personality, June Archer, as he takes a journey of exploration and learns about the dynamic history of the tobacco farms in Connecticut and how the people who came to work on the farms left a lasting impression on society, culture and Civil Rights.

Event Highlights:

Artistic Inspiration: Be inspired by the artistry of Ellis Echevarria and the vibrancy of his mural Brilliance in the Valley (on loan from The Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum)
Film Screening: Enjoy a special screening of the original documentary Stepping into the Shade. This thought-provoking film offers a fresh perspective on the Connecticut tobacco industry, highlighting its historical significance and the stories of those who have shaped it.
Post-Screening Discussion: Engage in a dynamic talk back session moderated by Andrèa Hawkins, CEO & Founding Partner of Leading Culture Solutions. The panel will feature:
June Archer, Producer of Stepping into the Shade, who will share insights into the film's creation and its relevance.
Dr. Fioan Vernal, Director of Engaged, Public, Oral, and Community Histories at UConn, who will discuss the historical context of the tobacco industry.
Cheryl Sharp, Esquire, Deputy Director of the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, who will address the social implications and community impact of the industry.