Carleton, Branstetter
Honored by Chandler

Two longtime volunteers with the Chandler Center for the Arts were honored last week by having their names inscribed on Chandler’s two plaques of honor.

The name of Rebecca "Rebbie" Carleton of Bethel, the longtime innovative art teacher at Randolph Elementary School, was placed on a plaque naming her a recipient of the Martha Ostlund Award for her contributions to program activities at Chandler.

A week later, another name was added to a Chandler recognition placque. Tim Branstetter of Bethel, a long time member and chair of Chandler’s Building Committee is now named on the Francis P. Hartigan plaque, which honors those who dedicated themselves to the care of the building.

Carleton has served on the Gallery Committee at Chandler for years, sometimes serving as chair, and she has curated many of the Gallery’s most exciting exhibits, many of them featuring children’s works.

The award was bestowed at a reception demonstrating the works of 10 artists competing for a $20,000 commission to create art as part of the Centennial renovation project.

In remarks, Chandler President Janet Watton said, in part:

"Tonight's honoree is indeed extraordinary. There are so many adjectives that one could line up that describe this extraordinary person. Rebbie is creative, innovative, inspiring, conscientious, and patient. She listens, she thinks, she plans, and then she executes at a most astonishing level.

"My first exposure to her work was when I was helping to produce the Terezin Project. Rebbie did a beautiful job talking with the elementary school children and encouraging them to put their thoughts visually on paper. It was amazing.

"Rebbie is also an unbelievable set designer for the 4th of July show.

"For the Albert's Big Bash 101 premieres last September, she astounded us all by having her little students come out on the stage with an almost stage-wide version of Picasso's painting, "Guernica"—done in puzzle pieces.

"And finally, this magnificent exhibit that you see now (in the Chandler Gallery). Rebbie organized this whole project, starting not really very long ago, a project that required lots of decision-making, letter writing, phone calling, emailing, the whole nine yards.

Branstetter

Branstetter’s honor was announced during one of the weekend performances of "Sound of Music" at the Music Hall.

In announcing his award, Watton said, in part:

"Tim has been on the board of directors since 2001 and on the Building Committee of the Board of Trustees long before that.

"First and foremost, Tim loves Chandler. It’s in his blood and he has passed this on to his children. His son Patrick is now a Blue Man (with the internationally known Blue Man Group), and his daughter Courtney is the senior events manager at the Hopkins Center.

"I actually met Tim when he was elbow-deep in paint creating sets for one of the 4th of July shows. On the board Tim is the quiet but confident voice of reason who never lets us wander into error.

And back in January 2001 at our annual board retreat in my home, it was Tim who offered up the first ideas and sketches of a proposed renovation of the building.

"Tim, we couldn't have done much of this without you. Thank you so much!"