Darien Arts Center A Family Affair For Thoren/Emmons Clan

It fact, it goes back to the beginnings of the DAC, with its creation in 1975 and continues today, with multiple members of the Thoren/Emmons clan still contributing time and talent to this nonprofit that provides dance, visual arts, music and theater programs.

Roz Emmons, one of the founders of what was then called the Darien Arts Council, helped create the organization. 

“There were eight of us during the 1970s with an idea to start an arts center," she said. "It took a few years to get it launched, but finally we got it up and running at Cherry Lawn. There was something missing from our community. We knew an arts center was needed.”

The commitment to the arts has been carried down to the next generation with Roz’s daughter, Lisa Thoren, who has been on the board of directors for almost 15 years, serving as president for three of them. An artist herself, Lisa has contributed time and talent to many committees and events at the DAC, including the annual art show and sale.

Lisa has made sure to pass on the gift of creative expression to her children, Laura, 27, Lindsay, 26, and Tally, 24.

Laura, now a TV news reporter and anchor, attributes some of her confidence in front of the camera to spending much of her childhood onstage in dance classes and cabarets at the DAC.

“Performing on stage makes you grow, while giving back to the community at the same time,” said Laura.

Tally, now an entrepreneur, remembers taking a mime class at the DAC, but his favorite part of the DAC was the annual art show and sale.

“Opening night is packed with happy people of all ages," he said. "I still remember how awesome it felt winning a second-place prize in second grade.”

Lindsay recalls selling a piece of artwork at the annual art show. 

”It gave me pride and confidence when I was only 11 years old,” she said.

Also nourishing a love of the arts at the DAC is Lisa’s husband, Peter.

“We’ve really enjoyed seeing plays in the DAC Weatherstone Studio," he said. "The DAC Stage group keeps getting better and better.”

Peter also took up painting as an adult and has won awards for his acrylic work, including a first-place prize at last year’s show.

DAC is at 2 Renshaw Road. For further information, call 203-655-8683 or visit darienarts.org.

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