NOTED:
This magazine has been a long time coming for us, and we are proud to welcome you to the inaugural year of 067 Nexgen, a magazine made for the community, by the community. It’s not your standard small town publication, as it is part of a college course at Central Connecticut University where it is designed by students to deliver a real product where community, business, and education merge in your mailbox. As a lifelong resident of the area, I’ve always enjoyed working with students, guiding them, and helping them hone their conceptual art and design skills. In 2021, along with Dee Dee Colabella, I founded RPAC Art Center with the mission to meet students where they are, guide them toward their goals, and teach strong creative fundamentals. We launched 067 Nexgen as a hands-on publication studies program to teach graphic design and journalism students every stage of magazine production from concept to print. We wanted to give these talented young people real-world experience and work they can add to their portfolios. I have been so proud of the talent, hard work, and dedication of these students. As you explore this issue, you’ll see that their writing and design skills are top-notch. I am so excited for their future and how 067 Nexgen will grow, and invite you, the community, to engage with us and offer feedback on how we can continue to offer this publication and tie together everything that makes us great.