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Vol. LXIII, No. 26
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 26
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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Celebrating its one-year anniversary at the Robeson Center, the Arts Council kicked off its annual membership meeting last Wednesday with the “Pride of the Arts Council” awards presented to non-profit organizations, collaborating corporations, volunteers, and teaching artists.
The gathering also saw new members elected to the Board of Trustees, the presentation of the annual report, and the awarding of the Arts Visions Award to Judith and William Schiede.
Outgoing Board President Wendy Mager noted that her godson and Arts Council student Thomas had made the multicolored macaroni necklace that she was wearing for the occasion. “I am pleased that Thomas finds being a macaroni artist as fulfilling as his other extracurriculars, like playing sports,” said Ms. Mager, underscoring the Council’s mission of “building community through the arts.”
Executive Director Jeff Nathanson reminisced about his arrival at the Arts Council in May of 2005, saying that he was “in the old building just long enough to appreciate the need to renovate and expand.”
The journey to the Arts Council’s new space began with a move to the Shopping Center in October of 2005, and ended with its return home to the corner of Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place on June 5, 2008.
While the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce received the Partnership Award, Community Liquors and Tyco International were presented with the Business Award and Corporate Award, respectively.
Princeton Nursery School garnered the Neighborhood Award, with Executive Director Wendy Cotton noting that in the organization’s 80th year, “art-making remains so important to our school,” for both students and their families.
Volunteers Dawn McClatchy and Veronica Olivares were honored for their contributions, while teaching artist and photographer Bruce Berenson received the Catherine M. Kapoor Artist Award.
Mr. Berenson recalled his Spring black-and-white photography course, in which each of his 25 students had their own poignant reasons for taking a class using film in the digital age. Keeping various means of art-making alive is “what the Arts Council is for,” he exclaimed.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Pam Hoffman for “enlivening children’s imaginations.” Regarding the new building, Ms. Hoffman remarked that “it has been a journey of pure joy to see Anne Reeves’s dream become a reality,” adding that “it’s not just the building, of course; it’s the people” who make the Arts Council unique.”
Mr. Nathanson narrated the Annual Report over a series of slideshow images depicting the changes, events, and exhibitions over the past year.
The following community members were either elected or reelected to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees: Gail Everett, Jim Floyd, Jr., Orlando Fuquen, Kristina Johnson, Kimberly Kaye, Ann Van Lent, and Charles Wampold. Outgoing members included Peter Bienstock, Wendy Mager, Alvin McGowen, and Judith McCartin Scheide.
The evening concluded with a piano performance by Mariam Nazarian, who debuted at Carnegie Hall at age 16.
Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org for upcoming events and the summer class schedule.