Spencertown Academy Manifests Winter At Its Warmest
Palm trees and paper umbrellas set a tropical scene for partiers.
Photographer Gerald Seligman, Board President Nick Van Alstine and Wayne Greene get ready to greet guests.
For 30 years, Spencertown Academy Arts Center in Spencertown, New York has hosted a winter fundraiser, the Revels. For this, the 31st, they changed up the theme, inviting guests to “escape to the tropics.” On Saturday, Jan. 26, Academy supporters were greeted with a tropically decorated room, island-inspired appetizers and drinks, and Caribbean music wafting about. “We’re celebrating a lot this year,” said Nick Van Alstine, board president (the organization is entirely volunteer run). “Last year at this event we kicked off our building campaign. Our goal was $600,000, and we’ve raised $480,000 in the past year.” That money was turned into a new roof and chimney for the building; currently the windows are being restored to their former glory. The shored-up building will help the Academy in its mission of presenting a variety of art programs throughout the year. Following the reception, guests moved to intimate dinners hosted by friends of the Academy.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
