On View at the Factory
Ball & Socket Arts is transforming an abandoned industrial campus into an innovative and dynamic arts destination for the central Connecticut region (and beyond). Built on the ethos of sustainability and historic preservation, Ball & Socket Arts offers vibrant arts & culture programming and provide accessible and relevant experiences to a broad public audience.
Workshop Gallery
Engaging new contemporary visual arts exhibitions featuring regional artists. Visit the gallery anytime during gallery hours.
The Artcade
Have you seen Nina Chang’s current piece hanging outside Building 2?
The Artsplace Teachers’ Factory Inspired Mobile Gallery:
A series of 2-D artworks created by Artsplace teachers to celebrate their move to Ball & Socket Arts in 2024. These pieces will be auctioned online from November 15 to December 15 with proceeds split 50/50 between Ball & Socket Arts and the artists.
The Residents
Forged from factory scrap, try to discover all three on your next visit!
Can you find the Residents?
Forged from scrap metal from deep within the industrial spaces of the factory, we’re excited to share these creations.
Deryn & Adalaide by Ryan Vaughan
Deryn & Adalaide by Ryan Vaughan
Materials: Assorted reclaimed metal
Adalaide finds herself often playing on the grounds of the abandoned factory where her father used to stoke the fires of the steam engine. Together with her companion Deryn they collect the forgotten, left behind pieces. Whatever they might find gets taken home. Some are put back into use, others repurposed, but whatever the outcome, the two find joy in bringing life back to these otherwise discarded parts.
She now stands in the open facing the building that used to house that coal fired boiler. So if you’re in the area stop by and say hello.
Artist Bio: Ryan Vaughan is a Cheshire resident and self-taught metal artist. Follow his work on Instagram @vaughan_metalart or online at https://www.youtube.com/@vaughan_metalart
Button by Margaret Roleke
Materials: fabricated steel, vinyl coated cable, hose clamps, button parts and other miscellaneous parts found in the buildings
Pieced together from sentient bits of old fasteners, Button is always on sentry duty. If you listen closely, you’ll hear it’s song when the wind is strong.
Artist Bio: Margaret Roleke is a contemporary mixed media artist based in Brooklyn and Connecticut.She received an MFA from Long Island University, CW Post. Roleke’s work has been exhibited widely in the tri-state area and beyond. Her work has been exhibited at the Aldrich Museum, Ridgefield, Connecticut, Pen + Brush Gallery, New York, NY, Whitebox Gallery, New York, NY, and many other venues. In 2021 and 2022 she had a residency on Governors Island in NYC through 4 Heads Portal. In 2020 she was awarded a Connecticut Commission on the Arts grant. www.margaretroleke.com
Button by Margaret Roleke
Arnold “Arnie” Electric
Arnold “Arnie” Electric by William Potvin
Materials: Assorted reclaimed metal and wood
Arnold Electric was designed and created by the Ball and Socket Manufacturing Company in 1941 due to an increased button demand for the uniforms of World War ll soldiers. When the government discovered that Ball and Socket had created Arnold Electric, they enlisted him in the army to expedite the production of building fighter planes. He quickly rose to the rank of General. General Electric retired at the end of World War ll in 1945. He is proud of his military service and still wears his name plate to this day.
Arnold returned to Cheshire, Connecticut to continue his previous occupation of manufacturing buttons. In 1994, when Ball and Socket Manufacturing closed, the owners turned Arnold off with the lever on his chest. In 2014, when Ball and Socket Arts was established, they found Arnold, flipped the lever, and turned him back on.
Arnie is a well-respected part of the Ball and Socket Arts community. You’ll often see him rolling around campus engaging with the visitors, artists and staff.
Artist Bio: William Potvin is a southeastern Connecticut based artist who creates site specific installations, environments, sculpture and wall art. His work acts as a catalyst to raise awareness around environmental issues concerning our world today. He believes in employing reclaimed and natural materials to educate on the benefits of reusability and the potential effects of consumerism. Dala has been working professionally alongside his art collective, The Department of Visual Consciousness, since 1999. www.dalabil.com
