Creativity Connects Ridgefield
What fuels a vibrant, connected, and creative community? What makes people feel good about living in Ridgefield?
When locals share the creativity that they uncover in the nooks and crannies of their community it brings about connectivity and makes us all feel good. Believe it or not, you discover creativity every day as you walk, shop, work, and play in Ridgefield.
Creativity connects us.
Meet Dave Goldenberg, a community advocate, award-winning writer, creative director, and brand strategist.
Is there a person or organization using creativity to provoke change in Ridgefield?
Creativity isn’t just scaffolding for artistic projects. It’s the key to solving problems—and I can’t think of a more creative problem-solver than our first selectman. When McKeon Farm was at risk for overdevelopment, Rudy hatched the idea of buying development rights. When Corona inflicted layoffs, Rudy mustered town philanthropists to create a grant program to help people pay their rent. After 20 years at the helm, Rudy has solved more problems than Ann Landers. Anyone who’s worked with him marvels at his resourcefulness. My father used to say, “There’s no problem that can’t be solved with some creative thinking.” I think Rudy would agree.
Any place in town where you go for inspiration and creativity?
I do my best creative work on evening runs through neighborhoods near my home in Twixt Hills. People are home at that time of day, and their cooking spices the air with garlic and herbs. My feet land automatically in the peaceful dusk—my favorite time of day—while my mind travels to the faraway of whatever writing project I’m working on. Most evenings, I leave my home with a problem and return with a solution.
How does creativity connect you to Ridgefield?
Let me turn the question around and tell you how Ridgefield connects me to creativity. You know how they say, "Write about what you know”? After nearly 30 years here, I know Ridgefield—and Ridgefielders—better than I know anything else. It’s a beautiful town full of caring people. But—thank goodness—we’re not without our flaws and peculiarities, and that provides ample material for the songs and stories I write.
When I think of creativity in town, I think of...
… the Young Writers Conference. For more than 20 years, a hard-working group of parents have organized this extraordinary event, which gathers hundreds of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Scott’s Ridge Middle School on a Saturday in spring. I’ve been a workshop presenter since my own kids were in Scotland School—and they now have kids of their own. You wouldn’t expect kids this age to be excited about being in school on a Saturday, but, as they say, OMG!!! When you take the bridles off of kids’ imaginations, they are like those superballs that seem to bounce higher each time they land. Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” I would add that without imagination there is no knowledge, and I wish some of that YWC spirit could infuse our schools’ test- and achievement -obsessed curriculums.
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The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HamletHub or LIFEWTR.
photo credit to David Livshin