Fresh off of a successful showing of Bill O'Brien's beautiful photography earlier this month, Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) invites the public back to the Academy on the Green to enjoy another free exhibit, this one staged by extraordinary Branford photographer Michael Marsland, July 30 – Aug. 1.

Marsland is known for his professional work as Yale University photographer but said this exhibit in his hometown gives him a chance to display other types of images outside of Yale. His show will feature sights captured in Nantucket, New York City, New Mexico and even his view of the Mystic River drawbridge "...before it was painted; when all the rust was beautiful," Marsland told Zip06.  He also intends to include a self-initiated project titled "October," a series of photos taken between Oct. 1 – Oct. 31, 2014.

Marsland said newly-formed BACA is showing a great deal of support for local artists by organizing exhibits and other events.

"It's giving the opportunity for more artists to show their work. I think it's great, and it's good for the town," said Marsland.

Marsland's will be the second in BACA's summer series at the Academy (the third, featuring prints by an amalgam of local photographers, opens Aug. 13).  Each exhibits opens on a Thursday, when crowds are already coming to the green to enjoy Branford Jazz on the Green summer series (sponsored by the Town of Branford, Branford Recreation Dept. and the Branford Festival Corporation).

In June, BACA made a splash with a free "pop-up" gallery of local art in Pilgrim Hall at First Congregational Church during Branford Festival, with additional works on display in Main Street store fronts. Whether it's  setting up an exhibit in  the Academy or finding other Branford venues where the community can take in the work of local artists (including musicians), BACA is working to facilitate as many opportunities as possible, said co-founder and BACA president Frank Carrano. Carrano is known to many in town as immediate past Board of Education chairman (retired, 2013) who headed the board for six of his ten years of service.

In 2014, Carrano led a group which sought the creation of a Branford Arts & Cultural Commission under the auspices of the Town of Branford. The idea was ultimately rejected by a majority vote of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

"There are other towns with Arts Commissions," said Carrano. "Before we went to the RTM, we did some research. We talked to people in Hamden, for example, which has a long-standing Arts Commission. "

Following the RTM vote, the group formed BACA independently.  In addition to Carrano, BACA officers include Robin Sandler (Vice Chair)  Richard Blacher (Secretary) and Rosemary Rubsam (Treasurer).

"We also have volunteers who have helped and will help with events," said Carrano. "We're not really a membership organization where we ask people to pay dues; but Richard sends out a newsletter and notices every month to a couple hundred people. It's community-based group ."

BACA has also reached out to meet with town groups such as Branford's Economic Development Commission, said Carrano.

"We've been working with the Economic Development Commission, and they seem to understand that as we begin to focus on the arts in town that it enhances our community with respect to its livability and desirability to be a place where people want to be. Because it's not just all about taxes and roads; there's a lot of other aspects of quality of life. That includes obviously the schools, which was my priority for a long time, but also the amenities -- is it a place where you can go out on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy things that you don't necessarily have to pay for?"

Contributions from supporters (including a fundraising concert in May held by Branford High School Music Makers) have allowed BACA to build a general fund that covers the cost of renting and insuring the Academy building for periodic exhibits. Carrano said holding BACA programming at the historic town building is a great start.

"The Academy is a perfect place. If you have 30 people in there, you have an audience, when a larger room could seem empty; so it's warmer," said Carrano.

Future BACA offerings may include small, intimate performances in the Academy, such as musical groups, poetry readings, etc.  BACA is currently working another offering coming in early fall: a tour of the three historical churches on the town green.  Anthony Terry, a Branford architect, will conduct the tours with church representatives. The tour will include some artful specifics that may surprise.

"Trinity Episcopal Church, for instance, has Tiffany windows," said Carrano. "So there are several Louis Comfort Tiffany windows in our town which most people haven't seen, unless they worship in that church. And they have a brand-new stained glass window recently commissioned, which is almost unheard of.  It's a contemporary, modern stained glass window that's very unique."

BACA keeps the public apprised of upcoming opportunities on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BACACT

"We post things that are happening and welcome comments and suggestions," said Carrano, adding, "...there's a growing excitement. Our Facebook page is getting hits, and people are coming out to the events. People in the community want to be supportive, so that's been very encouraging."

BACA invites the public to enjoy a free exhibit of works by Branford photographer Michael Marsland at the Academy on the Branford Green Thurs. July 30, 4 – 7 p.m.; Fri. July 31, 4 – 7 p.m. (Artist Reception 5 – 7 p.m.) and Sat. Aug. 1, 2  p.m. – 6 p.m.