2012 BeaconArts Awards: Poughkeepsie Journal, October 25, 2012: Nonprofit to honor arts patrons BeaconArts marks decade milestone

BEACON — The nonprofit BeaconArts will honor three individuals who have played a vital role in supporting the arts locally at the BeaconArts Awards at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Roundhouse at Beacon Falls, 2 E. Main St. Honorees include Thom Joyce, a founder of Beacon’s Second Saturday as well as a musician and sculptor; Margery Groten, Long Dock project director for Scenic Hudson, who was instrumental in bringing Long Dock Park and the River Center to the riverfront; and Susan Batton, managing director at Dia:Beacon, who worked with civic leaders and business ownerstoformamutually beneficial relationship between Dia, Main Street and the Beacon arts community.

BeaconArts (formerly known as the Beacon Arts Community Association) is also celebrating 10 years of supporting art events, encouraging a thriving arts community and promoting Beacon as an arts and culture destination, according to the group. BeaconArts has become synonymous with themonthlySecondSaturday art walk event in whichgalleries, shopsand restaurants stay open later and host artist receptions, music and special events.

Second Saturday was started in November 2002 by a group of artists and gallery owners and has grown to include more than 20 galleries as well as more than 25 shops and restaurants.

The Beacon Arts Community Association was created to sponsor the event and over the years has broadened its scope. In part to celebrate the10-year milestone, the association recently rebranded itself as BeaconArts.

Tickets to the Nov. 1 event can be purchased online at www.BeaconArts.org. Reservations are required by today.

Proceeds from the event, the group’s only fundraiser, will benefit BeaconArts’ general fund, with a portion going to the Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts, which funds projects by local artists that benefit the community.

About Kelly Ellenwood

Kelly is a founding member of the indie-classical chamber ensemble Madera Vox (maderavox.org), based in Beacon, NY where Ms. Ellenwood, her husband Tim and their two young daughters make their home. Kelly is also currently the Vice President of BeaconArts.

View all posts by Kelly Ellenwood →