Renovated Factory Houses Art and Craft Studios

By Colleen Gundlach

Tucked away on a street behind the Winsted campus of Northwestern Connecticut Community College is an outwardly nondescript old factory building that is anything but nondescript on the inside. Driving up to the parking lot behind the building and walking inside will reward the visitor with a new and fresh part of Winsted, and one that has the power to make the town a destination spot.

Inside the renovated factory is Whiting Mills, a world not seen before in Winsted, and not often seen outside SoHo in Manhattan. It is a community of artists, craftspeople and specialty shops melded together in beautiful surroundings of polished oak floors, ceiling-high windows and a vintage elevator, replete with sliding cage door.

Each of the artists has his or her own studio and welcomes visitors. One of these artists is Theresa Cannavo, who is also the manager of the Norfolk Farmers Market. Her upholstery and sewing business occupies the first studio visible as one enters the door of Whiting Mills. Inside are heirloom furniture pieces stripped down to the bones which, with vintage fabric and authentic stuffings, Cannavo will restore to their former beauty.

Cannavo signed her lease with Whiting Mills five years ago. Since then she has not only restored furniture but also given sewing and upholstery lessons to dozens of people who have come to learn from a master craftsman. “Every student is different,” she says, “and every lesson is a lesson to me as well.” Designing and making bedding, drapery and pillows are also on the syllabus of Theresa P. Cannavo Designs. She both makes these items and mentors others to do so as well.

Other attractions in Whiting Mills include painters, silver and pewter smiths, photography and pottery studios, a quilting classroom, a fabric shop, a master carpenter, a hobby store, a personal fitness studio and a yoga studio. Whiting Mills is on its way to becoming a destination spot for the Northwest Corner.

The artists and shops at Whiting Mills will be opening their doors for a special Holiday Open Studios weekend on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The building will be alive with all of the regular craftspeople and artists, as well as some special guest artisans and vendors. While there, take a moment to visit the Laurel Room, which is always available to nonprofit groups who would like to make use of this meeting or event space.

For more information about the Holiday Open Studios or about Whiting Mills in general, go to info@whitingmills.com or call 860-738-2240.

Photos by Bruce Frisch