Arts Paper
As the editorially independent arm of The Arts Council of Greater New Haven, the Arts Paper seeks to celebrate, explore, and investigate the fine, visual, performing and culinary arts in and around New Haven.
Kyle Jr (left, 8), John (middle, 4), and Leah (right, 6) creating the Kyle Kyle Crocodile. Jayniel Bermudez Photo.
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Cover art by author Rohanna Ssanyu and graphic designer Jessy Montoya.
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Buzz the cat was lost for the umpteenth time. Jimmy, carrying a cat carrier, carefully called his name. It was Christmas, and both of them were in an unfamiliar house. Little did Jimmy know, Buzz was off scratching one of the hosts. When he stumbled into the kitchen, he ran into the other, their conversation cut short when Jimmy’s brother let him know they were leaving.
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The Readmobile, in all her glory. Samir Iydroose Photos.
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Lisa Del Sesto, senior operations manager for the League of Women Voters, with the author, youth journalist Elodie Lafortune. YAJI Class of 2026 Photo.
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Natalie Jambor as Regina George. Samir Iydroose Photos.
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LaMarr Taylor makes it almost impossible not to get up and dance. Naiyanna White Photos.
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Moore in "Be Your Own Hero" when it premiered. Chris Randall File Photo.
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Danielle Sekas, teen librarian at the Hamden Public Library, at her desk. Samir Iydroose Photos.
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Top: Zahara Gazzola and Karina Gonzalez. Bottom: Naiyanna White. Lucy Gellman Photos. Welcome to the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Class of 2026! We are so excited to have 10 of America’s future journalists learning with us this summer. This summer also marks the largest expansion of YAJI staff, with four YAJI mentors over the two months that we are together. This year's YAJI staff include first-time mentors Ruby Szekeres (YAJI class of 2024), and Grayce Howe, (the Arts Paper's 2024 New Haven Academy intern), as well as returning mentors Jayla Anderson (YAJI class of 2020) and Abiba Biao (YAJI class of 2022). During our intensive week, we were also thrilled to spend time with Shamain McAllister, director of Cultural Affairs for the City of New Haven, New Haven Independent Founder Paul Bass and Education Reporter Maya McFadden, and Former YAJI Program Director Markeshia Ricks, who worked as a reporter for over two decades. The mission of the YAJI is to introduce high schoolers to grassroots journalism through The Arts Paper, the daily publication of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. Students independently research, report, draft, and publish articles covering arts, culture, and community in New Haven and the greater New Haven region. The two month program consists of a week-long intensive followed by seven weeks of pitch meetings, group writing/reporting time at the New Haven Free Public Library and 1:1 professional mentorship. For a first writing exercise during our weeklong intensive, all 10 students split into groups to learn to write short bios of each other. Read on to meet these young people, and please greet them with open arms if you run into them on assignment! Naiyanna White (she/her), 19, is a high school student at New Haven’s Adult & Continuing Education Center. An avid reader, Naiyanna is currently working her way through William Strunk and E.B. White, Jr.’s The Elements of Style and Rohanna Ssanyu’s The Marabou Who Crossed The Sea. Beyond that, she reads a lot of literary fiction, recently having finished Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Her hobbies include watching older movies, her favorite being Bringing Up Baby, and listening to music. Currently, an album she has on repeat is U from Underscores, a hyperpop singer who Naiyanna recently discovered through Coachella. A New Haven resident for three years, Naiyanna said that her motivation for participating in YAJI was to break through a recent bout of writer’s block and become more involved within New Haven. Alongside exploring journalism as a career path, Naiyanna has been engaged in summer activities to discover other vocational pursuits, such as volunteering at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas and taking a website development course. After graduating from New Haven Adult Education Center, she hopes to gain an associate degree in general studies at Gateway Community College, with the eventual goal of earning an English degree. Written by Samir Iydroose Amber Boutellier Photo. Karina Iris Gonzalez (she/her) is a 15-year-old sophomore at Acellus Academy, a virtual homeschooling program that she began attending after several years at Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS). The oldest of five siblings, Karina is also a fraternal twin, and prides herself on being the eldest. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, and is learning Russian and German, which she said is fun, but very difficult. Along with language learning, she enjoys playing the electric guitar, sewing, writing, and playing tennis, which she has done since first grade. Karina discovered YAJI through one of her counselors, who recommended the program after hearing about her love of writing. After finishing her sophomore year at Acellus Academy, she plans to return to in-person learning and complete her secondary studies at Madison High School, with the ultimate goal of becoming a child psychologist. Written by Zahara Gazzola Jay doing an interview at IRIS' celebration of America 250 last week. Karina Gonzalez and Amber Boutellier Photo. Jayniel “Jay” Bermudez (he/him), is a 14-year-old sophomore at Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden. He is also a counselor in training at New HYTES, a non-profit that focuses on youth enrichment through tennis instruction and academic mentorship. His interests include writing, fitness, cooking, video games, and playing tennis, which has done since he was 7 years old. Jay has had many notable life experiences, including watching the coin flip in the U.S. Open 2024, as well as presenting at the Yale School of Business as part of New HYTES’ entrepreneurial studies program where students develop, design, and pitch business ideas to address real-world problems. His future aspirations include graduating high school and becoming an engineer and a full-time counselor. With help from YAJI, he hopes to write a book in the near future. Written by Kiara Guevara-Cragwell Zazie Gazzola as YAJI learns to use cameras. Abiba Biao Photos. Zahara “Zazie” Gazzola (she/they), is a 15-year-old sophomore at Wilbur Cross High School and ACES Educational Center for the Arts (ECA). Born in New York and raised in Hamden, Zazie comes from a diverse background, proudly embracing her Indian and Italian heritage. Because she is both an avid reader and talented singer, music plays an important part in Zazie’s life. Her favorite artist is David Bowie. Along with English, Zazie also speaks Italian, allowing her to stay connected to her cultural roots. Outside of school, she enjoys kickboxing and weightlifting. She has a soft spot for animals, and enjoys spending time learning to care for them. With eight chickens and three cats (Nyx, Cleo and Pompom), there’s never a dull moment in the Gazzola household. Zazie comes from a family of academics, with both parents working as professors at Yale University. Although she hopes to leave Connecticut one day to explore new places, Zazie envisions returning to settle down. Written by Karina Iris Gonzalez Grayce Howe and Kiara Guevara-Cragwell. Abiba Biao Photos. Grayce Howe (she/her) a rising sophomore at Wheaton College Massachusetts, where she is doubling majoring in International Relations and Film & New Media Studies with a minor in Journalism. Grayce first joined the Arts Paper in 2024 as a New Haven Academy intern; she graduated from the school in 2025. Since then, she has stayed on as a freelance writer and assumed her newest position of becoming YAJI mentor. A budding journalist, her writing has made waves in Elm City and beyond. She currently serves as secretary at her school’s newspaper, The Wheaton Wire. • Written by Abiba Biao Kiara Guevara-Cragwell (she/her) is an aspiring 17-year-old journalist. A Branford resident, Kiara is the youngest of three siblings and recent graduate of Branford High School. Now, she has her eyes set on the University of Connecticut, where she will matriculate in the fall to major in journalism. Kiara said that one of her goals while attending YAJI was to sharpen her skills in preparation for university. When she isn’t chasing her dreams, Kiara enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, working at Longley’s, a Branford-based casual restaurant, reading books, and writing short stories. She also likes to listen to indie and pop music, but admitted to having some controversial music picks. “I’m not the biggest fan of country music, but if it is playing in the background for a while, it’ll get stuck in my head,” she said. Written by Jayniel “Jay” Bermudez Amber Boutellier and Olivia Dirschel. Lucy Gellman Photos. Amber Bouteiller (she/her) is a 16 -year-old rising junior at West Haven High School, where she has been a member on the school’s dance team for three years. Amber pastimes include reading romance novels and listening to pop music. Her favorite artist is Billie Eilish and she claims to love all of her songs. Despite her various talents, Amber said that she is unsure of a career pathway she wants to pursue in the future. She added that her motivation for joining YAJI was to improve her writing skills. Written by Olivia Dirschel Elodie Lafortune (she/her), 18, is a freshly-minted graduate from Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School (Co-Op) where she studied creative writing. In the fall, Elodie will begin her post-secondary studies at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, with a major in English and history. A prolific reader and writer, she aims to become a book editor in a big publishing house and a New York Times best selling author. She grew up in Haiti with her two younger siblings, and immigrated by age three to Naugatuck, where she has remained. Written by Daniel “Cupido” Garcia Daniel "Cupido" Garcia and Samir Iydroose. Abiba Biao Photos. Samir Iydroose (he/him) is a 16-year-old rising junior at Hamden High School. In addition to participating in YAJI, Samir is involved in other writing endeavors. Most notably, he serves as the editor-in-chief at his school newspaper The Dial. He is also a two-time winner of the Hamden Thornton Wilder Writing Competition, earning third place in 2025 for his short story, The Unseen Mask.
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Allyse Corbin and Nate Britton Photos, courtesy of Yale Summer Cabaret.
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After a fortnight’s-long closure for construction, the Institute Library opened its doors to the public again last week for a series of events, including a jazz night, a poetry reading, and Saturday’s “Collage & Closing” farewell to Panreality, an exhibition curated by Maxim Schmidt (pictured at left, with Chelsea Rowe’s “The bathtub on 18th avenue") which had been running in the library’s Gallery Upstairs since April 8.
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The company with Director Sarah Bowles (in the sparkly shoes at the front). Claire Armstrong Photo.
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Maria Giarrizzo-Bartz Photo.
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Members of Singing Resistance New Haven. Claire Armstrong Photos.
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Music House, a guidance group helmed by teacher Evan Green, staking out where the litter clean up will be along Springside and Wintergreen Avenue. Claire Armstrong Photo.
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Aaron Combs, a sophomore at Yale who is part of the university's World Tea Enthusiasts Association, or T.E.A. Ruby Szekeres Photos.
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Dreamscape Studio Photography.
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From stage right: Christian Phanhthourath (Social Media Manager), Laec Lorentzen (Co-music Director), Yuki Heeger, Mateo Vidali, Justin Kim, Norah Fong (President), Nicholas Boettcher, Sarah Lee, Madeline Buchowski, Josef Bell, Edward Kong, Vien Le (Co-music Director), Lishore Kumar (Tour Manager). Ruby Szekeres Photo.
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Dario Mohr, Aimée Burg, Lauren Flaaen, and Diana Abouchacra. Jarelis Calderon Photos.
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"Rachel On The Rooftops" cover by Karl Christian Krumpholz.
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Harris Falk, who Saturday was a first-time attendee at Madison's Pride Fest. Ruby Szekeres Photos.
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In the midst of barren landscape, a stretch of long, winding road disappears into the horizon and sunset, engulfed in a bursting sun. Where it leads, no one knows: it is surrounded by red, muddy earth, the ground cracked and uneven. As color stretches across the canvas, a viewer’s eye gravitates towards the middle, where a roaring, red ball of fire seems to stare right back.
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Alisa Bowens-Mercado teaches in Westville. Jarelis Calderon Photos.
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A copper “specimen box” encases an old whiffle ball bat. The plastic of the tip of the bat is torn, revealing a hollow interior. At the lip of the gash, dirt, like dried blood, coats the yellow plastic skin.
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Karla Burgos and Jenilyz Marie. Jarelis Calderon Photos.
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Julia Belyung and friends at Elm City Games. Keira Anderson Photos.
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The cast of Legally Blonde The Musical at Audubon Arts. Virus Visuals.
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Stylz Mitchell and Olivia Mitchell. Tal Berkowitz Photos.
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Rethabile Headbush as Noluthando Princess Vavi / #587, Thando Mangcu as Dimakatso Leraba / #723. Richard Lee Photo.
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Sun Queen and her goddaughter, Ka'meya Ingram, at a Black History Month open mic at the Hill Museum of Arts in February 2023. Ingram's sweatshirt is part of Sun Queen's "Black Girls Are Sunshine" brand. Lucy Gellman File Photo.
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Exoskin by Kim Hahn and Ja-Young Hwang. Ruby Szekeres Photos.
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Ruby Gonzalez Hernandez. Mason Angkapatyakit Photos.
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Kyreese Little with his scooter. Tal Berkowitz Photos.
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Robin Weiss, Cora Lloyd, Cole Nelson, Atticus Persinger, Molly Davis. Olivia Tapia Ko Photos.
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Allan Greenier's "Untitled" (portrait of Severija Janusauskaite). Ruby Szekeres Photos.
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Matthew Fried Photos Courtesy of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.
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Anneliese the Sheep at the 116th annual Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival. Ruby Szekeres Photos.
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Susan Climard's rendering of her godsons, Emanuel and Elijah. Nelani Mejias Photos.
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The author (photos by both Ortiz and her brother).
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Lisa Wolpe as Richard III in Richard III. The production in Edgerton Park runs Tuesdays through Sundays through September 1. Isabel Chenoweth Photos.
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Elizabeth Gonzalez and Anabel Hernandez at the Edgewood Park Farmers Market. Julieta Diaz Photos.
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Xuxa, Wilmaro and Geiby López on Chapel Street. Julieta Diaz Photos.
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Baker and musician Naomi Senzer. Alice McGill Photos.
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Bianca Turner’s Untitled #11 (Pink Sphere) consists of multiple hollow pink spheres, each holding a smaller sphere within. At their centers, the miniature spheres are spindly and golden brown, disconnected from the shapes that surround them. Around them, speckled blue bowls hold it all together.
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Alice McGill, Hager Ali and Abiba Biao. Lucy Gellman Photos.
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The following photoessay comes from Youth Arts Journalism Initiative (YAJI) alum Emma MartinMooney, who graduated from Wilbur Cross High School last year. For the first time this year, a generous grant from the City of New Haven's Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism allowed the Arts Council to offer a series of fall mentorship classes, including a six-week photo class with Chris Randall. Here is Emma's final project from that class, using the framing devices that she learned in New Haven while on a trip abroad.
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In Mi Lupita’s warm Grand Avenue kitchen, 54-year-old Yolanda Guzman Elias and her sister Batriz Guzman Elias were making culinary magic, cutting fresh strawberries and slicing thin meat before a morning rush. The smell of dough hung low and thick in the air, wafting from the storefront to its street-facing front door and windows. The bakery was ready for another day.
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The following photoessay comes from Youth Arts Journalism Initiative (YAJI) alum Jayla Anderson, who is currently a senior studying dance at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School. For the first time this year, a generous grant from the City of New Haven's Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism allowed the Arts Council to offer a series of fall mentorship classes, including a six-week photo class with Chris Randall. Here is Jayla's final project from that class.
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From left to right: ASA Member Joné Mwape, AfroMixer attendee Jeana Noel, and ASA Member Danielle Addy.
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Yale College sophomore Amelia Lee. Abiba Biao Photos.
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“Humans only have one ending,” the words echoed over the screen. “Ideas live forever.”
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Tracie Ormond: "You know, not all people believe servitude has its place, but it does." Juliette Lao Photo.
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Escoffrey (at stage right) plays at the Shubert Theatre in downtown New Haven during a concert from Monty Alexander in April 2022. Maya McFadden/New Haven Independent File Photo.
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ConnCORP's Juneteenth & 5 Year Anniversary Committee. Jayla Anderson Photos.
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Cast, crew and members of Long Wharf Theatre staff. Nevaeh Lugo Photos.
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State Treasurer Erick Russell receives the Visionary Award. Kiomi Rincon Photos.
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Photos Courtesy of the Shubert Theatre.
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The high school graduates and parents and family members in the back. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Artist Joe St. Pierre. Kiomi Rincon Photos.
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Senior Brianna Suero and Dean of College and Career Services Attallah Sheppard.“Through all this I'm happy to say that I am pursuing in fall of 2023 Housatonic Community College!” Suero said and a sea of claps and waves followed as she walked off the stage. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Kiomi Rincon as Cinderella. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Sasquatch with Tea Montgomery. KeQing Tan Photos.
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The inside of Fest Faves on a recent weekday. Laila Mohammed Photo.
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Curatorial fellows Cornelia Stokes and Kiara Cristina Ventura. Abiba Biao Photo.
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Theo Constantinescu, writing down feedback from Tarishi Shuler. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Artist Kathleen DeMeo at an opening of the show last week. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Marcella Monk Flake, executive director of the Monk Youth Jazz & STEAM Collective. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Mike DeCarlo traced his blue pencil over the page. Stroke by stroke, the pointy hair and wicked scowl of Sideshow Bob, the high-cultured villain from The Simpsons, began to manifest under his pencil tip. First the light blue pencil for sketching the general shape, then a charcoal one for the defined linework he’s so known for.
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Strike participants marching. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Research papers on deadline. Running up against the clock while holding a part-time job. Rapid levels of anger boiling over as my anxiety reaches its stress limit.
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BLMNH co-founders Sy Frasier and Sun Queen standing besides volunteer members from Mu Sigma Upsilon, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Lambda Alpha Upsilon and Lambda Upsilon Lambda. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Larry Morse and Jane Gilman Fleischner. Their joint exhibition,“In Need of More Light," runs at the Mitchell Branch Library through August 30. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Mauro Diaz-Hernandez. Amelia Stefanovics Photos.
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NHCM member Javier Ascencio chalking. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Master storyteller Bill Harley playing to an all ages crowd. Bill O’Brien Photos.
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One of the pieces of embroidery Z brought with her when her family fled Afghanistan. Z asked the Arts Paper not to use photographs of her or her father.
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Participants at the Liberation Table. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Xavier Langley, wearing his newly released trucker hats. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Kot performing earlier this year, at the Le Duc des Lombards in Paris. Marion Ruszniewski Photo.
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Achievement First Amistad High School students listening to Professor Centeno’s lecture. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Darbar India's location in downtown Branford. The restaurant is moving after 30 years. Amelia Stefanovics Photos.
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Monk Flake Family performing on stage.
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Mural displayed at Creative Me Daycare, featuring signature character Joy the Black Boy. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Longtime participants Allie Perry and Ginger Chapman. Abiba Biao Photos.
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Yale students lying down on the Cross Campus field. Abiba Biao Photos. A sea of Yale University students packed Cross Campus last Friday, enjoying the spring weather while learning about environmental advocacy.
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Teresa Joseph and her daughter. Lily Sutton Photos.
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Lucy Gellman File Photo. "Mother Divine" is pictured below.
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Alma Mendoza Photos and Video.
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A recent Zoom session. Ignite The Voice Photo.
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Nelson Pinos, with his wife Elsa and son Brandon at First and Summerfield United Methodist Church in September 2018. Lucy Gellman Pre-Pandemic File Photo.
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Saldi (at right) with a customer earlier this year. Lisa Reisman Photo, with permission from the New Haven Independent.
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Sonia Salazar on Temple Street. Lucy Gellman Photos.
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Photos courtesy of Michele Moore. At left: Coaches Gary Moore Sr., Darrell Brown, and Michele Moore.
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The artist on SCSU's campus. Isabel Chenoweth/SCSU Photo.
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Manny James and the Soulclectic Experience. Screenshots from YouTube.
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Check it out at our Youth Arts Journalism Initiative blog!
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Read about it in our Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Blog!
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Read about it in our Youth Arts Journalism Initiative blog!
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