 Press Release: Immediate Release
ART ALONG THE HUDSON KICKED OFF IT'S 6TH YEAR
At Cunneen-Hackett in Poughkeepsie, NY
May 28, 2009 6 - 8pm
Art Along the Hudson - 7 Cities, 7 Celebrations kicked off the 2009 summer season with a reception at Cunneen-Hackett, 9 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 6:00 to 8:00 pm. In its sixth year, Art Along the Hudson continues to celebrate the arts in Kingston, Beacon, Catskill, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh plus new venues of New Paltz and Peekskill. As part of the Hudson Quadricentennial, we are celebrating 400 years of art in these seven cities with a growing new and contemporary art scene - a 100 miles of art!
Over 125 people enjoyed the reception of light refreshments provided by Twisted Soul Restaurant and Barrett Art Center and live music by Rosemary Nielson. Benjamin Krevolin, President Dutchess County Arts Council, was Master of Ceremonies for the event and thanked the hosts for the evening Bill Durham, Executive Director of the Barrett Art Center and JoAnn Feigenheimer, Executive Director of Cunneen Hackett
Art Along the Hudson celebrations are anchored by rotating Saturdays that spotlight each of the cities. Kingston celebrates First Saturdays; Beacon has Second Saturdays; Catskill and New Paltz celebrate Third Saturdays; and Newburgh highlights Last Saturdays plus Poughkeepsie and Peekskill have various art celebrations. Although activities happen year-round in all of the participating communities, a focus of one Saturday each month helps to strengthen and build awareness of each city's arts initiatives. Programs feature a variety of art forms - from gallery and museum exhibits to music, dance, theatre and poetry. Special events range from sculpture exhibits, street fairs and parades, to art and history tours.
Each City was represented at the kickoff and given an opportunity to say a few words. Beacon was represented by Dan Rigney, Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA) and City of Beacon Mayor Steve Gold. Alyson Mibourn represented the Catskill Galliery Association. Lew Gardner, Vice president of ASK Board of Directors represented Kingston. New Paltz just celebrated their first third Saturday and a new member was represented by Melanie Cronin, New Paltz Arts and Shrai Osbourn, Village of New Paltz and the Historic Huguenot Street. Newburgh was represented by Marge Bell, Newburgh Councilwoman and Aquanetta Wrightof the Newburgh Jazz Series. Peekskill was also delighted to join Art Along the Hudson and was represented by Mary Foster, Mayor of Peekskill. And Bill Durham spoke on behalf of Barrett Art Center and Mayor John Tyzik also was there for Poughkeepsie.
Benjamin Krevolin thanked the brochure sponsors - Brian Kelly of the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union and Tom McQuade of Associated Air Craft, the brochure designer, Carl VanBrunt, the brochure printer Lithography by Design and our Media Sponsors, Jim Gibbons of Merchantile and Theresa Sharp of Hudson Valley Biz. Special thanks also to Mary Kay Verba of Dutchess Tourism.
"Art Along the Hudson plays an important role in cultural, economic and community development of cities." says Benjamin. "First, the program helps arts communities focus on identifying and organizing the cultural assets of their cities, participation requires the creation of some kind of organizing body, and helps the arts communities leverage public and corporate dollars. Second, it strengthens interest in the region by featuring the many different cultural activities of the various cities in one location, thereby developing critical mass - hopefully attractingovernight visitors. In addition, the marketing consortium gives the Arts Council which directs most grants towards nonprofit organizations, a way to support the commercial side of the arts community: galleries and individual artists."
“Many thanks to all the participants - artists, galleries, art organizations, cities and sponsors - especially Benjamin Krevolin and Lisa Fiorese of the Dutchess County Arts Council” said Linda Hubbard, Chair of Art Along the Hudson. Through everyone's efforts in addition to the brochure, website and radio on WAMC, Art Along the Hudson is doing print ads in Hudson Valley Museum and Gallery Guide, Manhatten Press, NY Amtrack and Metro North Summer Guide.
New this year was an Art Show component at the kickoff. Representative artwork has been selected for each city. It gives a new visual component of the program. When you see the artwork, the personality of each city comes through. The kickoff event also give the media, government and tourism officials to meet with the artists and learn about the art the Hudson Valley has to offer.
For more information, www.artalongthehudson.com .
      Attached images -
Katie O'Hagan
Penny Rigney and friends
Dan Rigney and Theresa Gooby's artwork
Steve Gold, City of Beacon Mayor
Steve Evan and Linda Hubbard
Veryl Zimmerman of Back Room Gallery and Pok friends
Sara Pasti
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