This past Saturday evening was the Monthly “First Saturday”, like an art gallery pub crawl here in Kingston. There are so many art galleries in the city that participate with the program, that you can’t physically hit every gallery during the event.This month, I went to the Art Society of Kingston (ASK) headquarters at 97 Broadway, the central nerve of the organization, if you will.
The show presented for the month of May is African Inspirations. An exploration into the deep relationship that all of us have with the distant continent. All of our human history begins in Africa, so the connection to its natural beauty serves as a inspirational start for so many local artists.I had the privilege of meeting the founder of La Leona Arts, Sadee Brathwaite, at this opening.
Sandee brought this collection together for this kick-off of the active season here in downtown Kingston.With a BFA in Drawing and Painting from SUNY New Paltz, Sadee has worked at the DIA Beacon, and the Deep Listening Institute, as well as numerous gallery openings throughout the Hudson Valley.
Vindora Wixom, inspirational manager of ASK, was on-hand to engage every member of the visiting crowd. She, her husband Richard and all 600+ members do an astounding job of refurbishing not just the ASK building, but the artist culture within our city. A warm note of thanks to all the visionary founders, from my fellow Aldermen and me.
To get more information on ASK or La Leona Arts…
http://www.askforarts.org/
http://www.laleonaarts.com/
Vindora Wixom, inspirational manager of ASK, was on-hand to engage every member of the visiting crowd. She, her husband Richard and all 600+ members do an astounding job of refurbishing not just the ASK building, but the artist culture within our city. A warm note of thanks to all the visionary founders, from my fellow Aldermen and me.To get more information on ASK or La Leona Arts…
http://www.askforarts.org/
http://www.laleonaarts.com/
3 comments:
I remember the Pub Crawls in the good ole days, Mike.
Can't do that anymore but this sounds like a neat idea. Thanks for posting it and keep on challenging us old fossil...smitty
Every one of the galleries in Kingston are worth visiting throughout the year.
I know its tough to see all that our local artists have to offer, but I suggest jumping around the city to different galleries each Saturday and realise just how much of an impact the arts have on the well being of a community.
Nice positive post mike.
There are too many galleries to visit in one Saturday night. The First Saturday event is just the beginning of apreciating the diverse artistic culture of our city.
What ASK has done for our tourism is immeasurable. I can only hope that the positive influence that ART has had on the city of Kingston will continue for years to come.
Nice post mike. Get out and see more art. Uptown misses you.
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