FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2020
Kingston
Distinguished Artist to Hold Live Concert
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble, the
Department of Art & Cultural Affairs, and the Kingston Art Commission are
pleased to announce that the 2020 Distinguished Artist Award recipient,
musician Lara Hope, will perform live online to celebrate the start of her
tenure.
On Friday, May 8, 2020 at 5:30pm Lara
Hope, accompanied by her life and musical partner, bass player Matt Goldpaugh,
will perform a live-streamed concert via the City of Kingston’s Facebook.
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. She has performed at many local
events and is a worldwide touring musician.
“Lara Hope is an integral part of our
local artist community here in Kingston, and we appreciate that she will be
giving us a performance so we can enjoy her live music from home,” said Mayor
Noble. “I hope everyone will tune in and congratulate Lara on winning the 2020
Kingston Distinguished Artist Award!”
With everything going on right now, I
think it’s more important than ever to stay connected with each other
virtually, and music is a great way to keep our spirits lifted, and find a
sense of normalcy,” said Hope. “It’s physical distance that we need to avoid,
not social. I am so happy to be able to play a mini-concert, from my home to
yours, and I look forward to being able to serenade you in person as soon as
it’s safe to do so!”
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 inaugural awardees were visual
artist Julie Hedrick and musician Peter Wetzler.
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.
To learn more about the Distinguished
Artist Awards, contact the Department of Art & Cultural Affairs or visit: https://www.kingston-ny.gov/distinguishedartists