Patterson, NY — The Hudson Valley InterArts Center welcomed over 150 community members to its one-year anniversary celebration on May 16th, transforming an ordinary evening into an extraordinary showcase of creativity, inclusivity, and artistic achievement. The event highlighted the center’s mission of fostering community connections through artistic expression while demonstrating the profound impact art has on people of all abilities.
Visitors flowed through the 15,000-square-foot facility, exploring the studios and art gallery, meeting instructors, and engaging in hands-on creative activities throughout the three-hour celebration. The evening featured a perfect blend of visual arts, performance, and community engagement that exemplified the center’s first year of operation.
One of the evening’s centerpieces was the community mosaic project, which captivated visitors of all ages. Under the guidance of ceramic artist Liz Stine, participants painted pre-made ceramic tiles with a variety of colorful glazes, each contributing their unique artistic vision to the collaborative work.
“The mosaic project perfectly represents what InterArts is all about,” said Vicki Sylvester, Ph.D., CEO of Community Based Services, the organization in partnership with InterArts. “Each tile reflects an individual’s creativity, and when assembled together, they’ll create something greater than any single person could achieve alone.”
After kiln firing, these vibrant tiles will be permanently installed on the exterior of the building, creating a lasting testament to the community’s collective creativity. The installation will provide a colorful welcome to all who visit the center.
The evening reached an emotional high point during a remarkable piano performance by 14-year-old Ivan K., a musician with autism who, though non-verbal, communicates eloquently through music. Ivan delivered a stunning rendition of complex compositions, opening with Mikhail Glinka’s La Séparation, Nocturne in F Minor, and performing Bach’s Prelude 2 from the Well-Tempered Clavier, and Jean Sibelius’ Etude op. 76 N 2, moving many audience members with his technical precision and emotional depth.
“Ivan’s performance embodied exactly why we founded this center,” noted Taylor Martin, Director of Programming. “Art transcends traditional barriers making space for deep expression and connection. His music spoke volumes about the power of the arts and its ability to unite communities while celebrating exceptional abilities. It was an honor to showcase Ivan’s accomplishments!”
The anniversary celebration also served as a reminder of the InterArt’s significant growth since opening its doors last year. What began as a vision for creating meaningful connections through art has blossomed into a thriving community hub where people of all abilities discover their creative voices. The center now welcomes over 250 participants weekly across dozens of classes and programs in the arts and wellness.
In partnership with Community Based Services, Inc., Hudson Valley InterArts has positioned itself as a vital resource addressing social isolation through creative engagement. The center’s diverse programming – spanning visual arts, music, movement, and performance – has created meaningful opportunities for connection in a time when many experience profound loneliness.
As Hudson Valley InterArts embarks on its second year, plans are already underway for expanded programming, additional community partnerships, and enhanced accessibility initiatives to further its mission of creating a safe and inclusive environment that fosters community and relationships through artistic practices.
Building on the success of the Patterson location, Community Based Services has announced plans for a second center in the Capital Region, where there is a great need for quality services. This new facility, located at 13 Mill Road in Ballston Lake, NY, called InterArts North, will expand the organization’s reach and bring the same transformative arts experiences, as well as day and employment services to communities in the Albany area.
In addition, the 40 Jon Barrett Road facility has been selected as the home for an innovative educational initiative—Putnam County’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY Universal Pre-K Campus. This groundbreaking inclusive childcare and learning center will serve local families through a collaborative partnership between Carmel and Brewster school districts. The proposed program would uniquely benefit from Hudson Valley InterArts’ specialized creative programming and Community Based Services’ four decades of expertise in developing innovative, person-centered services.
The evening was distinguished by remarks from prominent public officials who voiced strong support for the center’s transformative work and initiatives. Kathleen Abels, President of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC), highlighted her organization’s successful collaboration with Hudson Valley InterArts and praised the center’s significant contributions to enhancing the quality of life for Putnam County residents.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne delivered remarks celebrating the vital role Community Based Services plays throughout the region. Executive Byrne expressed enthusiasm for the ThinkDIFFERENTLY pre-K school location, citing the exceptional quality of programming already established at Hudson Valley InterArts as a compelling reason why this partnership would benefit families across Putnam County.
The center invites community members to visit and experience its InterArts programming firsthand. For more information about upcoming classes, events, and exhibitions, visit https://hudsonvalleyinterarts.org or contact Director of Programming Taylor Martin at tmartin@hudsonvalleyinterarts.org or 845-501-9193.
The mission of Hudson Valley InterArts is to create a safe and inclusive environment to effectively build community and relationships around artistic practices. Hudson Valley InterArts aims to support the social and emotional health of community members by fostering inclusivity and community connection through creative and healing arts. The InterArts Center offers diverse programming for people of all abilities, providing expressive outlets to lead meaningful and engaged lives.
Office: 9:00am – 5:00pm, M-F
Classes 7 Days a Week
40 Jon Barrett Rd.
Patterson, NY
845-501-9193
© 2024 Hudson Valley InterArts All rights reserved.
