Our Community
Monteiro Family Community Gallery
Every city is built from concrete, streets and landmarks—but its true heart lives in the everyday stories, traditions and moments of the families who call it home. This exhibition celebrates the diverse families of Waterbury and its surrounding towns, offering an look at the connections that bind us to each other and to the place we live.
More about this exhibition
The families featured in this exhibition responded to an open community call last November offering free family portraits by photographer, Lauren Rovella. Paired with their portraits, we also recorded their oral histories to highlight local voices reflecting on what makes our region unique. Across generations, shared themes emerge that define our collective identity. We see a deep commitment to family traditions: crafting homemade hot chocolate on cold winter days, gathering for Thanksgiving feasts and enjoying trips to local parks, beaches and regional trailheads. We witness the quiet strength of quality time, whether spent hiking, visiting treasured local landmarks, or sharing laughter at home.
Equally strong is the deep connection these families hold to Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley. Their stories honor the past, cherishing childhood neighborhoods and family roots, while also embracing the present through local schools, community programs and favorite gathering spots. Above all, their voices reflect a vibrant hope for the future with dreams of cleaner green spaces, strong resources and a supportive environment where the next generation can flourish.
As you walk through this exhibition, we invite you to reflect on your own family’s story. How do your memories, traditions and hopes intersect with the landscape around us? In sharing these portraits, we celebrate not only individual families, but the vibrant, close-knit and spirit of our entire community.