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 Rick Tango, artist, and photographer.
Any place in town where you go for inspiration and creativity?
I never know when creative inspiration is going to strike, sometimes it hits me like a crashing wave or quietly gets my attention like a soft breeze. Many times while walking through the beautiful open spaces in Ridgefield I find photographic inspiration in the sights and sounds of nature. Being outdoors slows my mind down and allows me to see parts of the landscape that are only noticed if you take the time to figure out what’s driving you emotionally about the scene. Just stop and figure out what you are really noticing and why that caught your attention. To me, that’s when the magic of creativity starts happening. My creativity is not just limited to my photography. I’ve always had a fascination with fine woodworking and wood carvings. Many times while taking a walk in town I find inspiration for woodworking ideas while looking at the beautiful window displays and stopping in many of the stores. One of my favorite stores where I find creative inspiration is Touch of Sedona. Ridgefield has so much to offer artists. You just have to let your mind wander and be open to new ideas that inspire you.
Is there an organization in town that makes you feel good?
I would say the two organizations in town that I enjoy being a part of are the Ridgefield Guild Of Artists and the Ridgefield Shutterbugs. I’ve made many wonderful friends through these organizations and found a lot of support and creative help. They are great outlets to show my work and to be a part of a community of creative people. I also found great joy in participating in a course offered by the Art Guild called “The Artist's Way” which helped me strengthen my creative mind and meet many like-minded people. The Ridgefield Shutterbugs is a group of people who love photography and love to share ideas. We all have so much fun going out in the fields and taking photos and then sharing them with the rest of the group. It’s so nice to participate in these types of groups in town that offer support for creative people.
How does creativity connect you to Ridgefield?
Having grown up in Ridgefield I’ve spent many hours wandering around town, riding a bike, strolling through the woods and being able to nurture my creative mind in a peaceful, calm community. For me, Ridgefield has many places to go to find peace and tranquility when looking for creative inspiration. Even when I’m not looking for creative inspiration, at times I’ll simply be driving through town and something catches my eye that inspires my creativity. It could be something as simple as the way the sunlight falls on the beautiful architecture lining Main Street or seeing the wildlife on one of the many ponds in town. Also driving through Main Street during the holiday and viewing all the beautiful lights and Christmas decorations is truly something special. While all these experiences may be small moments in time, they keep my mind active and working creatively. Ridgefield has many things to offer its citizens but for me, the best thing about this town is I can never run out of places to go to find creative inspiration.
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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.