36th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Director, Development & Marketing, Arts Mid-Hudson
As we say goodbye to summer and welcome the crisp air of autumn, we have the opportunity to celebrate the incredible arts community we have in Dutchess County. This year, 11 awardees will be honored by Arts Mid-Hudson and the Dutchess County Executive, Marcus J. Molinaro at the 36th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards at Keepsake at the newly renovated Academy in Poughkeepsie. The community nominates the recipients based on their contributions to the growth of Dutchess County’s culture over a significant period of time, the extraordinary support they show for the arts, and/or their leadership in using the arts to enhance the community.
Dutchess County Executive, Marcus J. Molinaro said, “Creativity abounds in Dutchess County. From painters and sculptors creating new, unique pieces to writers and poets penning works that speak to the soul, these creators’ love of our region brings new works to life to inspire generations to come.”
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Arts Organization Awardee, is an incubator of creativity and presenter of world-class artists expressing themselves through dance, theater, music, film and poetry, as well as culinary and visual arts. Hudson Valley Performing Arts Laboratory, Arts in Education Awardee, is a Poughkeepsie-based organization that fosters collaboration and learning by providing a home base for performing artists of all levels to create and learn together. Gwen Laster, Individual Artist Awardee, is a musician and composer who focuses on inspiring listeners and unifying communities.
Joseph Bertolozzi’s Bridge Music, Art in Public Places Awardee, was launched in 2009 however many residents may be unaware of this unique performance.. Bertolozzi “played” the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge as a percussion instrument, recorded the sounds and composed music from it. Visitors can access a listening station from the walkway on the bridge’s northern side or visitors to Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie and Johnson-Iorio Park in Highland can tune into 95.3 FM and listen to “Bridge Music”over the airwaves.
Bryan “Kicks Kapri” Ashong, this year’s Artivist Awardee, inspires with his positivity and understanding of art’s ability to connect people of various backgrounds. Full Deck Design, Business Awardee, has played a pivotal role in the arts community through the creation of brands for arts organizations. Louis Watson Sr., Special Citation Awardee, is a vocalist who has worked in the arts for over 70 years and is the last surviving member of The Goldenaires quartet.
Lisa Ameijide, Volunteer Awardee, uses art projects to help encourage creativity and connection throughout the community. Rosemary and Robert Denny Evaul, Patrons Awardee, have worked as a team to support live theater in the Hudson Valley and beyond. New Horizons Resources, ThinkDIFFERENTLY in the Arts Awardee, enables people of all abilities to express themselves through art. Jordan “Jae” Jones (posthumously), Youth with Exceptional Promise in the Arts Awardee, was a passionate creative with a love for video editing.
These incredible individuals and organizations uplift the arts in our region. This year’s event will kick off with festive food, libations - including the AMHarita courtesy of Beam Suntory and celebrity balloon poppers Ryan Dutcher from Q92 and Michelle Barone-Lapore from Michelle Barone Media, and MC (Grace) Angela Henry. All proceeds from this event go to supporting the arts in Dutchess County. For more information, visit www.artsmidhudson.org/dcartsawards.
If you go:
36th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards
Keepsake at The Academy, 33 Academy Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
Date: October 6, 2022
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Contact: (845) 454-3222
www.artsmidhudson.org/dcartsawards
