FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2020
City of Kingston
Announces Second Distinguished Artist Award
Local Musician
Lara Hope to Be Honored
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steve Noble and the
Kingston Arts Commission are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2020 City
of Kingston Distinguished Artist Award, local musician Lara Hope. An award
ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 5:30pm at City Hall.
Lara Hope is a celebrated local musician,
known for her work with Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones,
and The
Gold Hope Duo. Hope is the recipient of the 2017 Ameripolitan
Music Award for Best Female Rockabilly Artist. Hope has performed at many local
events and is a worldwide touring musician. Hope succeeds the 2018 inaugural
awardees, Julie Hedrick and Peter Wetzler.
“I am delighted to see the Distinguished
Artist Award presented to such a vibrant member of our community,” said Mayor
Noble. “This award offers a chance to highlight amazing artists who live in our
community and do so much contribute to our quality of life. We’re excited to
continue the Distinguished Artist Awards for a second time, and I congratulate
Lara on being our newest honoree.”
“I am so honored and thrilled to be chosen
for the Kingston’s Distinguished Artist Award! I’ve seen how much the city has
grown and blossomed over the past decade, and I look forward to doing my part
to help this continue,” said Lara Hope. “After traveling the country
extensively, there’s no doubt in my mind that there’s a special kind of magic
here. I am proud to call Kingston my home, and plan to see the arts thrive here
for years to come.”
The Distinguished Artist Award was
established by the Kingston Arts Commission in 2018 to honor the contributions
of local artists. Awardees are selected every two years, and are expected to conduct
one community event during their tenure. Artists in any discipline are eligible
to be nominated: music, theatre, dance, literary, visual, or media arts. The
recipients are chosen based upon the level of their artistry, commitment to the
art form, commitment to the community, and recognition in the field locally,
nationally or internationally. Nominees must be a resident of the City of
Kingston for at least two years.
The panel for the Distinguished Artist
Award was comprised of five Kingston residents: Bryant “Drew” Andrews,
Executive Director, Center for Creative Education; Brian Mahoney, Editor,
Chronogram Magazine; Julio Nazario, professional artist and former Assistant
Dean at Rutgers University; Aaron Rezny, food and still-life photographer; and
Virginia Walsh, Director and Curator of Exhibitions at Ann Street Gallery.
For more information about the award
ceremony on April 23, please call 845-334-3929 or e-mail [email protected].
To learn more about the Distinguished
Artist Awards, contact the Department of Art & Cultural Affairs or visit: https://www.kingston-ny.gov/distinguishedartists