NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release-November 5, 2009

Contact: Maria Costello, PR & Communications Coordinator

(716) 754-9000, ext 132; [email protected]

 

Artpark Reviews Anniversary Season and Welcomes New Directors

Artpark Applauds Mayor Soluri & Accomplishments of 2009 Season

 

(Lewiston, NY)  The Artpark & Company annual Meeting was held Wednesday October 28 at the Niagara Falls Country Club to confirm the re-election of Officers and new Directors to the Board. Artpark & Company, Inc. recently completed its thirteenth season of operating park programming under a licensed agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.  The not-for-profit organization was directly responsible for the influx of more than 234,000 visitors to scheduled events in 2009.  Additionally, over 250,000 people visit Artpark's fishing docks, nature trails, historic sites and scenic picnic areas. 

Christopher H. Brown of Niagara Falls' Brown & Company LLP was re-elected as chairman of the Artpark & Company Board of Directors for his third season. Under Chairman Brown's first two seasons as Chairman of the Board, Artpark has continued on its remarkable course successfully drawing record numbers to the exciting and diverse programming Artpark has come to be known for.

Over the past two years Artpark & Company has accomplished impressive improvements to the Mainstage Theater and the park including freshly painted interior, new theater drapes, a new stage floor and the pending replacement of the thirty-year old theater seats.  The venue's vast Outdoor Amphitheater, home to the popular free outdoor concerts on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, has experienced expanded sky box seating and fenced traffic walkways to assist the thousands of weekly concert patrons while the planning designs for a new upgraded amphitheater move to completion.

"Our 35^th Anniversary Season was a big hit due to the tireless work of the Artpark staff and Board.  We can't thank enough all our corporate and government sponsors who stepped up to ensure that Artpark presented another great season of enjoyment, as the premier summer venue in Western New York for arts and entertainment," said Chairman Brown.

In his initial remarks, Chairman Chris Brown paid special recognition to retiring Lewiston Village Mayor Richard Soluri and presented a plaque commemorating his 15 years of dedicated support for Artpark. "Mayor Soluri has been a transformative figure in Niagara County. His vision for and dedication to the Village of Lewiston has made it a major destination. We at Artpark & Company are grateful for his years of council and service," Brown added.

 

 

At Wednesday's annual meeting the entire slate of Board officers were re-elected including Clarence Center's Wendy L. Montante and Regional Waste Solutions President Ray Walter who will continue as vice chairs of Artpark & Company, Inc.  Artpark Board secretary Vincent Agnello, Esq. of Youngstown and Niagara University will retain his duties, and Amherst resident Brian Geary, a partner with Sanderson and Company, remains Board treasurer.

Directors re-elected for three-year terms include Dena Armstrong, Glenn Bobeck, John Camp, Michael J. Dowd, Esq., Erin Harris, Skip Mazenauer, Jim Morabito, Henri L. Muhammad, Sophia Smith and Ray Walter. Thomas J. Fatta, Michele O. Heffernan, Esq., and Janice McCaw were re-elected to one-year terms. The Membership also appointed the Advisory Members for one -year terms.

Nominating Committee Chairman Michele O. Heffernan, Esq. also announced the appointment of two new directors for 2009-2010. Newly elected to the Artpark & Company Board of Directors are Jane M. Mogavero, Esq. Donor Relations Manager of the Hospice Foundation of WNY (Buffalo), and Mary Jo Farrell, of Williamsville who is active in volunteer work and an enthusiastic supporter of Artpark.

In his remarks highlighting Artpark's 35^th Anniversary season Artpark & Company President George Osborne noted "The black cloud of the State's financial crisis threatened to jeopardize our 35^th Anniversary season, but as the sun regularly shines at Artpark on Tuesdays, the sun broke through this cloud and Artpark's anniversary season was among the most successful in our history.  The Buffalo and Erie County Arts Council honored us with a 2009 Trailblazer award for Artistic Excellence and Extraordinary Achievement, and we were selected for our 4^th consecutive Buffalo Spree award, this year for outstanding party venue.  We set an all time attendance record for a single concert in the theater when with over 12,000 paid admissions to "The Tragically Hip" and attendance for our signature series Tuesday in the Park increased by 11.1%.

Artpark will announce the 2010 season schedule in May.  

 

 

 

The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is being operated by Artpark & Company, Inc. for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation under a license agreement

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