News items

Curator at Vassar’s Loeb Art Center receives fellowship.

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 13) - Mary-Kay Lombino, the Emily Hargroves Fisher '57 and Richard B. Fisher Curator and Assistant Director for Strategic Planning at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, has been awarded a curatorial research fellowship by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts for work in preparation of the fall 2012 exhibition at the Art Center: The Polaroid Years: Instant Photography and Experimentation.

More details on our Education Page.

(contributed photo)

Community Foundation donates funds for ASK’s exterior stair project

KINGSTON (January 9) - The Arts Society of Kingston, ASK, has been awarded a grant of $5,000 from funds provided by an anonymous donor through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.

Given in person by Cynthia A. Lowe, Director of the Ulster County Community Foundation and Nevill Smythe, Vice President of Programs of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, during December’s First Saturday art reception, this generous donation will be put toward an essential fire escape project for ASK’s Regional Art Center located at 97 Broadway, Kingston.

Katharine McKenna, ASK’s president, had one goal before stepping down, to take ASK to the next level. Literally. In order to get to the next level, or upstairs, the building would need a fire escape or external stair. She made this the focus of her November 2009 President’s Circle Reception with a funding goal of $40,000.

A matching grant of $12,500 from Markertek of Saugerties has been met with $2,890 from the President’s Circle membership, $5,000 from the Community Development Block Grant administered by the City of Kingston, and now $5,000 from the anonymous donor. These funds make a total of $25,390 raised for the exterior stairway.

The exterior staircase will allow ASK to apply for temporary permits to use the second floor for classes, small group activities, and performances. The renovation of the building with the end goal of a 99-seat state-of-the-art theater and classroom is ongoing. Walters-Storyk Design Group based in Highland has drawn up building plans. Previous Community Block Grants administered by the City of Kingston have funded ADA compliant bathrooms upstairs and down, given the foyer of the building a face-lift, and funded the insulation of office and gallery spaces.

The Arts Society of Kingston’s mission is to be a regional multi-arts center. With useable space on the second floor at ASK will be one step closer to that goal.

This year ASK has hosted more than 10 performances in the main gallery on a temporary stage including: the second annual Playwrights’ Lab Festival; “Turbulent Voyage, A Domestic Retelling of Henry Hudson’s Epic Explorations,” a play by Paul Cooper; and award-winning Gustafer Yellowgold in his Kingston debut.

Attached Image: From left to right: Katharine McKenna, Cynthia A. Lowe, Nevill Smythe handing the check to Vindora Wixom, and two attendees of the First Saturday reception in the background.

Gardner and McKenna

Lew Gardner elected to write next chapter at ASK

KINGSTON (December 26) - The Arts Society of Kingston, ASK, is proud to announce Lew Gardner as the new president of its Board of Directors. The former president, Katharine L. McKenna, has stepped down after 4 years, and will now serve as vice-president. 

“I have suggested that the board elect Lew Gardner as president because of his knowledge and involvement in the performing arts.” McKenna said at December’s board meeting. “A focus on the performing arts will be a major theme in the next chapter at ASK.”

Renovations continue on the second floor of the Arts Center at 97 Broadway, where a 99-seat state-of-the-art performance space is planned.

Before stepping down McKenna had one goal, to take ASK to the next level. Literally. In order to get to the next level, or upstairs, the building would need a new fire escape or external stairway. She made this the focus of her November 2009 President’s Circle Reception with a funding goal of $40,000.

A matching grant of $12,500 from Marketek of Saugerties has been met with $2,890 from the President’s Circle membership, $5,000 from the Community Development Block Grant administered by the City of Kingston, and $5,000 from an anonymous donor through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County. These funds make a total of $25,390 raised for the exterior stairway.

Lew Gardner, formerly the vice president of ASK, is an actor and writer whose plays have been performed throughout the United States and published in collections including the forthcoming Best American Short Plays 2008-2009. He has founded and helped manage arts organizations in New York City, New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. At ASK, he has organized literary and theatrical events including the VisuaLit exhibition of art and poetry and the popular annual event 100 Poems in 100 Minutes.

Gardner has worked in publishing and in non-profit management and public relations for such organizations as the New Jersey Historical Society and the American Red Cross. He has taught at Marist College, New York University and the City University of New York. Currently he conducts a writing workshop in Woodstock.

The Arts Society of Kingston, a regional center for the arts, presents a diverse range of visual art exhibitions, performances, workshops, classes, and other arts-related programming for the benefit of artists, art-lovers, and the general community of the Hudson Valley. Through its initiatives, ASK provides opportunities, resources, and education for artists. In carrying out this mission, ASK enriches the quality of life, bridges cultural gaps, and increases awareness and appreciation of the arts. For more information, please visit www.ASKforArts.org.

Willy-Gilly Productions at the annual American Film Market

GOSHEN (December 26) - David Wilson and Nan Mia Gill, principals of the Goshen based and newly formed independent film production company Willy-Gilly Productions were active participants in this year’s American Film Market (AFM).  As a result, Willy-Gilly is now in negotiation with major distribution companies, including France’s leading film production and distribution firm, Canal +.    The AFM is a premiere global marketplace for independent motion picture production and distribution.  The well attended event provided the opportunity to introduce Willy-Gilly and its innovate approach to filmmaking to the global filmmaking community.

The company’s purpose is to create, develop and produce high quality, socially conscious film and television entertainment profitably.  Its principals are David Wilson and Nan Mia Gill.  Mr. Wilson, Founding Partner, CEO, a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, has extensive and diverse experience as an actor, writer, producer and director.  He has worked with virtually every major motion picture studio, many independents, the major networks, prominent agents and the talent that they represent.

In addition to contributing to the economic and cultural significance of film, Willy- Gilly Productions has a strong commitment to the communities in which it operates.
A for-profit corporation promoting its product through multi-media networking, Willy-Gilly Productions is dedicated to supporting the development, education, and entertainment of people everywhere, and contributing 12 ½% of gross to the non-profit organizations that serve them.

The first feature film, a crime drama thriller entitled  “Collar”  has been filmed and is now in post-production.  A summer 2010 release is planned.

Limited edition tours of the FDR Home north wing  

HYDE PARK (December 26) - Visitors who enjoy starting their tour day early will be rewarded with a rare opportunity to view the north wing and kitchen of the Home of Franklin Roosevelt National Historic Site. The site is located on Route 9 in Hyde Park, New York.

The National Park Service announced that these special extended tours will begin on January 4. This limited edition program, running through April,
will be available every day at 9:00 AM only, to groups of 8 or less.    The
tour will include the kitchen as well as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s study, which are not part of the regular tours of the house due to space constraints in the north wing of the house.

Park Superintendent Sarah Olson stated:  “We have recently restored sections of the north wing of the President’s Home, as part of the 5 year plan to rehabilitate interior and exterior of the structure.  The floors in both the butler’s pantry and kitchen have been replaced with reproductions of the original material, and the walls have been repainted.  Visitors regularly express an interest in viewing the kitchen.  Until now, it could only be seen through a window on the north porch. Visitors on the extended tour of the home will now have the opportunity to walk through this area and learn about the Roosevelt Home from both the front stairs and back stairs perspective.”

Another rarely seen gem included in the program will be President Roosevelt’s study, which is perhaps the most historically significant room of the home.   It was in this tiny room in September 1944 where British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and FDR discussed the development and probable use of the atomic bomb.  

The tour is handicapped accessible and lasts about an hour and 15 minutes.  Reservations may be made by calling the fee desk at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center at 845-229-5320.