Background
        Artists in the Country started in 2001, when Ann, Michelle and Lauren decided to use their land to host artists, and raise money for children with autism to attend camp at Eden Institute's Camp in Chaplin CT. From 2001 to 2008, money was raised for the camp, and about 18 children with autism from CT received scholarships to enable them to attend one week of overnight camp. About $25,000 was raised for Eden Institute Camp.
         In 2009 and 2010, when Eden Institute did not return to Chaplin for the summer months, monies were raised for a local day camp in Killingly CT, Camp Quinebaug, which also services children with autism and other special needs. In the last two years, about $2,700 was raised to send children with autism and other special needs to attend Camp Quinebaug.
         Artists in the Country has hosted 3 musical showcases with bands playing in October as well also conducted Open Studios for several years. For the last 7 years, Artists in the Country has hosted an April Artists Collaborative, which this year was renamed a “Spring Collaborative” as it went into several weekends in May, 2011.

Ann, Michelle, & Lauren 

Michelle Chuk:
Michelle is working in the field of Public Health in Washington, DC. She presently also sings with the Congressional Chorus in DC and also has loved and been involved in “the arts” since childhood. She sang and acted in many shows throughout elementary school and through high school. She played flute in her school orchestras. In college, she participated in several choirs and acapella singing groups. After graduation, when living in a new city, and missing singing and playing the flute, she co-organized an acapella group called Vocal Therapy which sang in the D.C. area for two years. She is a valuable asset to the Artists in the Country family endeavor.

Lauren Chuk:
Lauren is a teacher and basketball coach in Worcester, MA. She plays a vital role in the success of Artists in the Country. Her contributions include, but are not limited to the creation of the program guide, landscaping of the barn, and many hours of preparation. Throughout high school, although mainly spending her time on the athletic fields for basketball, soccer and softball, she also showed interest in the arts. She played saxophone, and continued with art classes in high school. As a senior project, she did a wall mural in the music hallway of her high school, which still can be seen today.