Buttonwood Board Steps Up to Receive Arts Advocacy Award

The Buttonwood Tree and the Greater Middletown Concert Association were honored by the Arts Commission with proclamations from Mayor Dan Drew. 

The Buttonwood Tree hosted Monday night's Arts Advocacy Awards presentation by the Middletown Commission on the Arts to two organizations which have contributed to the city’s cultural and artistic enrichment and demonstrated extraordinary support and initiative for the arts.

Barbara Arafeh, president of the Greater Middletown Concert Association, and Anne-Marie Cannata, executive director of The Buttonwood Tree, were honored with proclamations from Mayor Dan Drew for their combined more than 65 years of musical, theatrical and visual arts work.

Barbara Arafeh receiving AA Award

Anne-Marie Cannata with Buttonwood Board

The Buttonwood Tree opened its doors as a storefront bookstore and performance space in Middletown’s storied North End in 1989.  Begun by our first director, Wesleyan alumna Susan Eastman Allison and her husband, the DJ and radio personality, Stephan Allison, it was the first such place in the city. Middletown has and has had many cultural enterprises over the years but The Buttonwood Tree is unique in that company.  From its opening it has been a grassroots, avant garde center for all ages, all comers, artists and audiences. Recognized nationally and internationally as a music venue, it has also offered programs led by outstanding artists in contemporary theater, literature, art, poetry and dance—from belly to hip hop—as well as opening its doors to community activists, educational and religious groups.