Ulster County Executive’s Arts Awards return, awardees announced

Each June, we celebrate the beginning of summer and the incredible arts community we have in Ulster County. This year, eight awardees will be honored by Arts Mid-Hudson and the Ulster County Executive, Pat Ryan, at the 10th Annual Ulster County Executive’s Arts Awards at the Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston with special guest emcee, Ann Citron.

The community nominates the recipients based on their important contribution to the growth of Ulster County’s culture over a significant period of time, the extraordinary support they show for the arts, and/or their vision and leadership in using the arts to enhance the community.

Ulster County Executive, Pat Ryan said, “From youth programming to community theater to world-renowned artists, the arts are a rich part of the culture of Ulster County.”

Art in Public Places Awardee: The Saugerties Chamber of Commerce

Food: Summer bucket list for Hudson Valley food fans

Local: Facing lifeguard shortage, Pougkeepsie boosts compensation

Outdoors: Poison ivy has a lot of looks, but follow this one rule to be safe

This year’s event will kick off with festive food, libations, wine drawing, balloon popping fun and more. Guests will enjoy entertainment by Lara Hope’s Gold Hope Duo who bring their unique brand of stripped-down, upbeat rockabilly, rhythm & blues, country, folk and a pinch of humor.⁠⁠

Business Awardee: The Ashokan Center. Pictured: Jay Unger and Molly Mason.

Awardees

The Vanaver Caravan Dance and Music Company, Arts Organization Awardee, has been an integral and beloved part of the Hudson Valley community for 50 years promoting peace, celebrating shared humanity, and transforming young lives through the magic of music and dance.

Jill Obrig, Arts in Education Awardee, has been teaching art to students ages two to 92 for decades in her “Earth Art” camp in museums, art galleries, school districts and libraries.

Arts in Education Awardee: Jill Obrig

Sydney Cash, Individual Artist Awardee, is an artist/sculptor who has worked with glass, metal, paper, many kinds of paint, and light. Cash has had over 50 one-person shows and  has received fellowships from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation,  New York Foundation for the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Story continues

The Saugerties Chamber of Commerce, Art in Public Places Awardee, has run the annual street art project for 14 years – making sure there is a Saugerties relevance to each project.

Barbara Masterson, this year’s Artivist Awardee states, “Art is like a serum, transforming its audience for good or ill. As I paint, the play of light has taken my breath away. Migrant workers came into view. They have transformed my vision.”

Maggie Inge, Special Citation Awardee, is Development Director of TRANSART & Cultural Services working on the restoration of the historic Burger Matthews House and establishment of the region’s first institution dedicated to the arts, culture, and history of African Americans in the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Joe Gonzalez, Volunteer Awardee, is a life-long volunteer having contributed thousands of hours of his time in countries around the world working in the arts, education, and as a youth mentor.

The Ashokan Center, Business Awardee, is a place where nature, history, music, and art inspire joyful experiences that heal the heart and soothe the soul.

Special Citation Awardee: Maggie Inge

These individuals and organizations uplift and enhance the arts in the region. All proceeds from this event go to supporting the arts in Ulster County. For more information, visit artsmidhudson.org/ucartsawards.

If you go

What: 10th Annual Ulster County Executive’s Arts Awards

Where: Wiltwyck Golf Club, 404 Steward Lane, Kingston

Date: June 16

Time: 5-8:30 p.m.

Contact: (845-454-3222; artsmidhudson.org/ucartsawards

Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas is the director of development and marketing for Arts Mid-Hudson. Art From Here appears every other week Sunday. Contact her at 845-454-3222 or melissa@artsmidhudson.org.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Ulster County Executive’s Arts Award awardees announced