5th Annual MAD Celebration of the Arts Expo Set for August 3 at The Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster

Family-friendly, hands-on arts demos and workshops in an array of disciplines showcase Kingston’s creative community of working artists

Expo Update (July 18)

In addition to the wide range of artist-led workshops, the Celebration of the Arts Expo space will feature a community mural that will be completed that day. Attendees may contribute to the mural at any point during classroom hours, 10:00am–2:00pm, and the final artwork will be displayed at future Midtown Arts District (MAD) events around Kingston. While paint and found materials will be provided, attendees are encouraged to bring items, such as scraps of fabric or photos, they would like to be included in the mural.

The Kingston Midtown Arts District (MAD) will hold its 5^th Annual Celebration of the Arts Expo on Saturday, August 3 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster located at 94 Mary’s Avenue behind the high school. The free, family-friendly Expo will feature demonstrations, workshops and performances by local artists. Food trucks and local vendors will be onsite.

This year’s MAD Celebration of the Arts Expo will provide Hudson Valley residents with many opportunities to experience and explore the arts. These creative, hands-on activities are a natural outgrowth of the recent merger of The Department of Regional Art Workers (The D.R.A.W.) with MAD. The D.R.A.W. now offers educational arts programming under the MAD organizational umbrella.

 Come Get Creative With Us

“Unlike our previous annual gatherings to celebrate the unique talents of Kingston-based artists, this year we invite everyone to come make art with MAD. We want everyone who attends to try at least one creative activity and have some fun. People will have a chance to learn new skills or deepen their current interest in a particular artform–or just have fun watching while others make art,” says Anne Bailey, President, MAD Board of Directors. “These artists represent the diverse talents and creativity of Kingston’s creative community and will offer opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to engage directly in the arts. Art is for everyone!”

Locally-represented art forms will include pottery (wheel and handbuilding), printmaking, working with paint sticks, drawing, beading, music making, and technology-based art forms such as stop-motion animation and more. The MAD Facebook page and website will provide regular updates as artist/teachers are confirmed.

Here’s the program:

Download the bilingual program.

“Making and sharing art in community, creates a place that values the individual and the community,” says Lara Giordano, Executive Director, The D.R.A.W. “Art opens hearts and minds and becomes a platform for self discovery and empathy.”  

Musical, dance and theatrical workshops will be featured throughout the day, and performances by Arm of the Sea Theater and Jay Ungar & Molly Mason will close the Expo. Jay & Molly have written an original song about MAD and will premier it during closing ceremonies.

 Red Goat Awards and Sponsorship Opportunities

MAD will continue its tradition of recognizing outstanding contributions to the arts in Kingston with the Red Goat Awards. This year’s awardees will be Pat Courtney-Strong and Radio Kingston, with a special shout-out to Kale Kaposhilin.

Event sponsorship levels begin at $250 – $3000. Sponsors receive prominent display on all printed and digital promotions of the Expo including but not limited to social media mentions, print ad display, and sponsor logo on event poster, flyer and postcard materials. 

Find sponsorship opportunities here.