Amy Krzanik reports from Spencertown. “This building has been a treasured fixture of this community for 170 years, and it’s hard to imagine Spencertown without it,” said Nick Van Alstine, board president of the Spencertown Academy Arts Center, at the group’s 28th annual Revels fundraiser on Saturday evening, Jan. 28. The Academy has been around since 1972, but the building in which it is housed has been standing since 1847, and the Greek Revival structure, a former schoolhouse, has seen better days. After guests mingled over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, but before they dispersed to attend a handful of intimate dinners at local homes, Van Alstine addressed the crowd. He listed some urgent repairs needed to keep the building standing, and introduced phase one which focuses on repairing the roof, cornice and bell tower. While discussing the repairs, Van Alstine was upbeat, noting that major donors had already come forward with funds for the initial phase. The Center hosts free and low-cost community events throughout the year, including art exhibitions and its popular Garden Market on the Green in the summertime and Festival of Books each Labor Day weekend. It also supports art in the public schools, and serves as a meeting and performance space for other area nonprofits. [Above, Bill and Sandi Suk flank Michele Chase.]
Major Academy supporters John and Denise Dunne flank dinner hosts Christian Dewailly and Liz Garger; former board member Betsy Howard and current board member David Highfill.
Board member Jill Kalotay poses with Academy supporter Lee Magadini, a teacher at the Berkshire Waldorf High School; dinner hosts Chris Ferrone and Hilary Dunne Ferrone with Rupert Fennell.
Norma Cohen, a curator on the Gallery Committee, with actress Linda Lavin, Steve Bakunas and Allen Cohen.
Artist and dinner host Linda Horn with Revels committee member Cindy Atkins, board member and Revels co-chair Judith Choate and the Academy's Eve Zatt; George Jahn and Sally Norvell.
Dinner hosts Debby Roth and Alan Kaufman with Revels co-chair Anita Fiorillo; Harry Petchesky with Rae Gilson.
Dr. Tim Chase, Rich Bilotti, Bill Collins and Bill Suk; Jeffrey Rosenthal, president of All American Contracting, and Helaine Ciporen.
Board members Jill Kalotay, Judith Choate, Nick Van Alstine, Madaline Sparks, Jo-Anne Bilotti and David Highfill.
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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
