Roxanne Stachelek has retired as executive director of the West Hartford Art League, after more than a quarter century.

The General Assembly presented Roxanne Stachelek with a congratulatory proclamation Wednesday
night at her retirement party. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

By Harlan Levy

At a gala retirement party for the West Hartford Art League’s longtime Executive Director, Roxanne Stachelek, a crowd of nearly 75 admirers packed the Chase Gallery at the Mandell Jewish Community Center on Wednesday night. They had gathered to celebrate her longtime leadership of the local art organization, which two women created in 1934.

In her 26 years there, Stachelek – a former art director at the Hartford Courant’s now-defunct Sunday magazine, Northeast – was responsible for spearheading many popular local art initiatives. These included Art in Public Spaces, which has installed sculptures around town since 2006, the decoration of bus shelters, the adornment of West Hartford Center’s outdoor restaurant dining barriers, and ArtWalk, an annual event that places paintings in shop windows throughout West Hartford Center.

She also created a summer art camp for children, oversaw year-round art classes for both children and adults, hosted monthly art exhibits, and organized the West Hartford Art League’s annual Fine Arts Festival.

Mayor Shari Cantor had high praises for retiring West Hartford Art League Executive Director Roxanne Stachelek at Wednesday night’s celebration at the Chase Gallery at the Jewish Community Center. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Mayor Shari Cantor, there to praise Stachelek for her outstanding contribution to the town, declared Wednesday to be Roxanne Stachelek Day and presented her with a proclamation honoring her for her many achievements. The state legislature also presented Stachelek with an official citation that read, “Her leadership has transformed the organization and promoted creativity and community engagement … and leaves a lasting legacy in West Hartford.”

Several WHAL staff and board members spoke proudly as well of her leadership and contributions.

Roxanne Stachelek teared up Wednesday night while recounting what she loved about her 26 years as West Hartford Art League executive director. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Stachelek choked up when thanking the crowd and spoke emotionally about how much her years there meant to her.
Now, the League said, it is renaming the main gallery in her honor.

In conclusion, the South Side Strummers, an eight-member ukulele band, played “Happy Trails” and “Bye Bye Love,” with creatively altered lyrics as the crowd joined in, some with colorful kazoos provided at the event.

The renowned (at Temple Beth Israel) South Side Strummers serenaded retiring West Hartford Art League Executive Director Roxanne Stachelek as she clutched her newly gifted pink cowboy hat. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Everyone I spoke with agreed that, as Happy Trails says, “It’s the way you ride the trail that counts” and that Roxanne Stachelek has ridden her trail in the most exceptional, exciting, accomplished fashion.

As for the party, as “they” say, “A good time was had by all.”

Yup: Those are the impressive new Roxanne-friendly (I’ll say!) lyrics created by the members of the renowned (locally, not nationally) South Side Strummers for the Wednesday night celebration of the retirement of longtime West Hartford Art League Executive Director Roxanne Stachelek. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

The General Assembly presented Roxanne Stachelek with a congratulatory proclamation Wednesday
night at her retirement party. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Retirement party for Roxanne Stachelek at the Mandell JCC. Photo credit: HarlanLevy

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