37th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards

Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson

It’s that time of year again when everyone starts to celebrate the cooler autumn weather and the artistic palette Mother Nature creates with our Hudson Valley foliage. During this time, we take the opportunity to honor the incredible arts community we have in Dutchess County. This year, 10 awardees will be honored by Arts Mid-Hudson and the Dutchess County Executive, William F.X. O’Neil at the 37th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards at The Grandview 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 is home to so much creative spirit from those who teach and inspire others to those constantly making new art for their community. The arts in our area is a thriving economic driver, offering outlets for personal expression, inspiration, and community discourse,” Dutchess County Executive, William F.X. O’Neil said. “ We are grateful to Arts Mid-Hudson for their efforts to support and celebrate the achievements of these individuals and organizations. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and thank you for all you do to inspire the hearts and minds of Dutchess County residents and visitors alike.”

Dutchess County Historical Society (DCHS) is being awarded for Art in Public Places for the Clowes Exhibit. DCHS celebrates all aspects of local history, but it is particularly exciting to celebrate the work of artists like LaGrange’s 19th-century Caroline Morgan Clowes. Looking at this work we are reminded how universal and timeless artistic expression is.

Paola Bari, this year’s Artivist Awardee, learned to love ceramics as a young girl in Italy and traveled all over the world to learn different techniques. She is very involved in the local art community - helping with local events, organizing makers markets, and currently co-curates Gallery 40 in Poughkeepsie.

The KuBe Art Center, Arts Organization Awardee, was founded by Ethan Cohen and Zhu Ceng in 2011 and serves the burgeoning arts community in the Hudson Valley by providing space for artists and local businesses in an unconventional setting. Jim Osborn, Arts in Education Awardee, has been on the faculty at Vassar College for the last forty years, as well as teaching at Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Business Awardee, celebrates its 25th year as one of the region’s premier fine art venues.

Jodé Millman, Individual Artist Awardee, is a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie, which serves as the setting for her popular award-winning crime fiction novels, including The Empty Kayak Hooker Avenue, and The Midnight Call. Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition Committee, Special Citation Awardee, has been a highlight of the Hudson Valley cultural scene for over 50 years attracting outstanding violin, viola, and cello students from Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Curtiss, and many other prominent music conservatories.

Randy Caruso, Volunteer Awardee, is a web developer by day and works in theater tech by night. Caruso says, “I’m optimistic to a fault: projects, art, code, and building stuff - there’s not much separation anymore.” i2Evolve, ThinkDIFFERENTLY in the Arts Awardee, was created by Kimberly Popolizio to offer a nurturing, non-clinical environment where children and adults of all abilities can disconnect from stress and express their inner thoughts through imagination and creativity. Rowan Parsaca, Youth with Exceptional Promise in the Arts Awardee, is part of DIA: Beacon’s teen program and regularly works with local artists Ron English, Hayden Wayne, and, most recently, as Eponine in the Beacon Players production of Les Miserables.

These incredible individuals and organizations elevate the arts in our region. This year’s event will kick off with festive food, libations - including the AMHarita courtesy of AT Coaching, and celebrity balloon poppers Chris Marino from Q92 and Jeremiah from KissFM, 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:
37th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards
The Grandview, 176 Rinaldi Boulevard, Poughkeepsie, NY
Date: October 11, 2023
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Contact: (845) 454-3222
www.artsmidhudson.org/dcartsawards