About the Distinguished Artist Awards
The Distinguished Artist Award was established in 2018 through partnership with Mayor Steve Nobel and the Kingston Arts Commission. The Distinguished Artist Award seeks to reward the achievements of local artists and creative thinkers. Nominees for the Distinguished Artist Awards must have been a resident of Kingston for a minimum of two years. Nominees will have demonstrated a commitment to the local creative community. Awardees are selected by a panel of their peers, and are honored in a ceremony held at City Hall. The 2020 Distinguished Artist Award was awarded to local musician, Lara Hope.
The panel for the 2020 Distinguished Artist Award was comprised of five Kingston residents: The panel for the Distinguished Artist Award was comprised of five Kingston residents: Bryant “Drew” Andrews, Center for Creative Education Executive Director; Brian Mahoney, Chronogram Magazine Editor; Julio Nazario, photographer and former Assistant Dean for Outreach, Special Initiatives and Assessment in the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program at Rutgers University; Aaron Rezney, food and still life photographer; and Virginia Walsh, Director and Curator of Exhibitions at Ann Street Gallery.
Click Below to Watch the 2020 Distinguished Artists Award Ceremony
About the Artist
Lara Hope performing I'm the One with Lara Hope & the Ark-Tones.
Lara Hope is one of Kingston's most dynamic performers. Winner of the 2017 Ameripolitan Music Award for Best Female Rockabilly Artist, Hope is the front woman for the Northeast's premier Roots, Rock n’ Roll, and Rockabilly Twang outfit, Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones. She has spent much of the past few years on the road, both in Europe and in the U.S., and has had the pleasure of touring with some of her musical heroes, including The Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Blasters, and Reverend Horton Heat. She and her band were invited to perform at the original site of the Woodstock Festival, Bethel Woods, for the 50th anniversary celebration. Lara also plays with her husband Matt Goldpaugh as a duo, “The Gold Hope Duo,” and self-released a very topical album called Songs in the Key of Quarantine. Lara is also dedicated to the City of Kingston and its many not-for-profit organizations for which she donates much of her time, performing at fundraisers and other events in support of their causes.
Lara Hope's Webpage //Lara Hope & the Ark-Tones Bandcamp