Van Gogh-inspired mural takes shape in Norwich

Norwich ― Local artist Candice Flewharty is painting a large mural with an even larger meaning on the exterior of the Reliance Health building at 2 Cliff St.

The 125-foot-long painting, inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Irises” series, is part of the city’s beautification plans, but also intended to bring awareness to mental health.

On Monday, Flewharty and her daughter, Marguerite Brown, 18, started adding blue and white to the outline Flewharty began last week. The work will continue through the fall.

Flewharty, of Norwich, has painted murals around the country and works as an art teacher at St. Patrick Cathedral School in Norwich. She went to France a few years ago and visited the psychiatric hospital where van Gogh, who struggled with mental health, was a patient. Read More...

Norwich wants to spend $10 million in state grants on lower Broadway. Here's how, and why.

NORWICH — The city of Norwich is turning its attention and future investments to lower Broadway as part of a plan to revitalize downtown. City Council last week passed a resolution to have the Norwich Community Development Corporation apply for more than $10 million from Connecticut’s Community Investment Fund 2030, to assist in revitalizing lower Broadway, which is the length between Main Street and Norwich City Hall. Most of the funds are meant for improving the streetscape. This includes creating more gathering spaces, said City Manager John Salomone, including Parklets. The first Parklet debuted on Franklin Street this month, and looks like decorative public seating. Read More...

5 Nonprofits To Get Behind In The Norwich Area

Norwich's Reliance Health to open spacious facilities in former Sears basement

NORWICH - What used to be basement appliance storage for the old downtown Sears is now a safe space for homeless clients of Reliance Health.

“Some people might be embarrassed about their homelessness,” David Fish, director of homeless services for Reliance Health said, adding that more people are falling on hard times because of the lingering effects of the pandemic. “Some people don’t want to go to the soup kitchen because of that.”

Work on the 9,000-square-foot Wellness Center at the Cliff Street location of Reliance Health is mostly completed. Carrie Dyer, CEO of Reliance Health, said all that needs to be done is some work on the floors.  Read more...