La Grua Center Announces Departure Of Executive Director Wendy Bury

Less than three years ago, the old stone foundry building in Stonington Borough that now houses the was a nearly-abandoned historic building that had fallen into disuse.  Since opening its doors in 2008, the La Grua Center has become a lively hub of community activity, filled with arts, music, education, and conversation. 

Wendy Bury has been there since the beginning ─ first as a La Grua Foundation Board member and later as the Center's first Executive Director.  She has served in all capacities, from creating innovative programs and coordinating discussions with high-profile journalists to setting up the chairs and welcoming the guests. 

Ms. Bury has announced that she will be leaving the Center on May 2.  "It's been an amazing experience," she said, "but it's time for me to move on to a new project and a new chapter in my life."  President of the La Grua Foundation, Peter Castle, said, "We are very proud of how far the La Grua Center has come in a short time, and much of the credit goes to Wendy."

The story of the La Grua Center is a tale of the triumph of history and community in Stonington.  For many years, the 19th century stone foundry building lay quiet.  Industrial production long ago disappeared from the community, and the stone building ─ in the shadow of the old Atwood Machine Company ─ had yet to find a new purpose.  In 2005, as plans were laid to resurrect the Trumbull-Atwood complex as a condominium building, the foundry, too, was repurposed thanks to a generous gift from Winifred "Wynne" La Grua. 

Wynne La Grua and her husband Maurice ("Maurie") are institutions in Stonington - she, as a shopkeeper on Stonington Borough's Water Street for over 60 years; he as the local photographer who immortalized generations of school children, prom-goers, and newlyweds in the photos he took.  Shortly after Maurie's death in 2005, Wynne La Grua quietly approached community leaders with an offer to fund the purchase and renovation of the old foundry as a public center in memory of her late husband. 

Completing the reconstruction of the new building and bringing it up to 21st century code was only the first step in creating the La Grua Center.  "We also had to determine how we would bring people and programs into the Center, so that we could bring to life Wynne's vision of a place for community to come together," said Diana Leslie, past president of the La Grua Foundation.  "Wendy worked closely with Board members and an energetic group of volunteers to bring classes, concerts, art exhibits, and book discussions to the Center," said Diana, concluding that, "Wendy's creativity and energy have played a key role in making the Center what it is today."

Since 2008, the La Grua Center has served as a meeting place and event venue for over 35 non-profit organizations, hosted over 200 events, welcomed thousands of guests and visitors, exhibited the art of hundreds of artists, and become a hub of activity for residents of Stonington and the region.  The Center hosts three successful monthly series: Music Matters, Burrowing into the Borough, and Arts & Culture featuring local and regional speakers, performers and artists.  The Center has become a role model of collaboration through its partnerships and programs, and the community has embraced its free public events.  "I passionately believe in the legacy of Wynne and Maurie La Grua and am proud to have contributed to this first phase of the La Grua Center's long life," Ms. Bury said.

Peter Castle summed up the Board's perspective on Bury's tenure at the Center: "What started as an idea and the remnants of an historic industrial building has emerged, under Wendy's leadership, as a bustling hub of community activity.  In her role as Executive Director of the La Grua Center, Wendy has made an immense contribution to the quality of public life in our community.  Wendy leaves with our very best wishes for all her future plans."

A press release from La Grua Center.