Leslie Bender

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Todd Samara

The Samara Project Slated for October Launch

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To preserve the legacy of Todd Samara, a nationally recognized artist whose favorite subject was Kingston’s Rondout, a group of Kingston artists have formed the Samara Project, which is proposing a month-long, city-wide retrospective of…
#MADkingston

MAD 2017: The Year in Review

MAD with its small army of volunteers has accomplished myriad things in 2017. We couldn’t have done this without them! A recap of 2017 begins with our official MAD launch party late last year. The Celebration of the Arts 2016 launch was…

Robert Hessler: Curiosity as Creative Muse

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There are always elements you can't entirely control. The beauty lies in the imperfections and in the joy and excitement of discovery. – Robert Hessler When did you first know you were an artist? I've been a creative type since I am a…

Meet the New MAD Board Members!

The arts have become a strong, unifying force for Midtown Kingston since MAD was launched in 2016. In early November, a meeting of the MAD Board of Directors and MAD Advisory Board was held at Bailey Pottery Equipment. During the fun-filled…

Art Walk Kingston 2017

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Linda Marston-Reid Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson Art Walk Kingston is a celebration of the arts and the local community in its 2nd year during the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. The public is invited to explore three distinct…

The Shirt Factory Turns 100 – Come Celebrate on Saturday!

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How do artists celebrate living – and creating – in a building that’s 100 years old? With a building-wide Open Studio Tour, Performance Art, Pop-Up Galleries and a Special Historic Exhibit, of course! On Saturday, September 16, the Shirt…

Celebrating the Arts, Kingston Style

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 Another Smashing Success! An exciting evening celebrating the arts happened on Thursday, August 3rd at The Collective on Broadway Commons. The 3rd Annual Celebration of the Arts was the best yet and included a weather event as usual. Thank…

D.R.A.W., A New Community Arts Center on Broadway

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By Lynn Woods Lara Giordano is still putting the finishing touches on the renovation of 626 Broadway, but already the storefront has been a hive of creative activity. Her Department of Regional Art Workers, or D.R.A.W., as she has named…

3rd Annual Celebration of the Arts

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Save the Date MAD Celebration of the Arts 2017 August 3, 2017 The Collective at Broadway Commons | 6pm Directions FREE ADMISSION Arts lovers from throughout the Hudson Valley will gather under the tent at The Collective at Broadway Commons in…
Ben Wigfall by Nancy Donskoj 1993

The Life of Ben Wigfall Celebration

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June 10, 2017 SUNY New Paltz On Sunday, June 10, 2017, more than 100 people gathered at SUNY New Paltz to celebrate the life of Ben Wigfall. The following appeared in the service program. Ben Wigfall is one of the true giants of the…

Kingston Makers and Growers Market Kicks Off June 29

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Are you a maker or grower? Do you sell to makers or growers? Are you a writer, musician or performer? Come spend your Thursdays at The Collective at Broadway Commons right in the heart of Kingston. Founder and organizer Robert Airhart says,…

Final Renovations Underway at UPAC

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At the heart of the Midtown Arts District, the historic Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) is buzzing with the hum of construction this spring as the final phase of its comprehensive restoration plan that began in 2006 begins. UPAC will be…

May MAD Notes

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Introducing a New Monthly Feature – MAD Notes! The MAD Steering Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at Cornell Street Studios. The next meeting will be held on June 1 and all are welcome to attend. The MAD Work…
Steve Finkle – Garden Flowers

Steve Finkle Photographs Exhibit at City Hall through June

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Visitors to Kingston City Hall are invited to linger over a photography exhibition in the ground floor hall honoring the late Steve Finkle, former Director of the City's Office of Economic Development. Steve Finkle Photographs will continue…
ARTBAR Gallery - Photo by Kevin Godbey

First Saturday: A History and a Plan

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MAD has initiated a partnership to revive and expand Kingston's First Saturday gallery openings tradition. Business Alliance of Kingston (BAK) stalwart Nancy Donskoj and ARTBAR owner Allie Constant recently launched Kingston Gallery Business…
Pauline Oliveros

A Celebration Tribute for Pauline Oliveros

Presented by City of Kingston’s Arts Commission A Celebration Tribute for Pauline Oliveros An afternoon of presentations, performances and Deep Listening With friends and special guests Sunday, March 19, 3-5pm Reception 5-6pm Hosted by Kingston…

Two Local Publications Feature MAD Initiatives

The Lace Mill: Collaborative Catalyst “From the Lost Generation to Andy Warhol's Factory, from the painters of La Belle Epoque to the Beats, history shows that when a few artists have the space and opportunity to inspire and collaborate…
Joe Concra & Brian Mahoney

Chronogram Launches Community Conversations

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On February 8, Chronogram launched a new, monthly series to bring together community leaders, influencers and creatives for discussions about timely issues. For the first conversation, held at The Lace Mill, Chronogram Editorial Director Brian…
Ben Wigfall by Nancy Donskoj 1993

Honoring Luminary Printmaker Ben Wigfall

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We learned of Ben Wigfall’s passing as we were ready to announce the launch of the MAD Ben Wigfall Project. Warmly remembered by Kingston’s African-American and arts communities, Wigfall was a professor of printmaking at SUNY New…
#MADkingston

What’s Up for MAD in 2017?

Officially launched on October 27, 2016, Kingston’s Midtown Arts District is making plans for its first full year in 2017. Midtown is hot and staying ahead of fast-moving changes will be a fun and exciting challenge. If you care about ensuring…