Artpark Board of Directors: Joanne Bauer
The Artpark & Company Board of Directors is a volunteer assembly of community leaders and other esteemed Western New York businesspeople. These individuals are imperative in Artpark's planning process, budget development, sponsorship attainment and event organization.
 
As the current Artpark Board Chairperson, Joanne has led the Board to approve initiatives that benefit the community such as growing the Education and Interpretive programming and increasing Artpark’s outreach with school time workshops, Artpark Bridges and Indigenous programs. She has served on the Artpark Board of Directors for eight years, participating in all committees, chairing Galas, and helping to secure funding from a variety of foundations. Joanne is truly an enthusiastic ambassador of Artpark and a celebrated volunteer and humanitarian in Western New York.

Artpark Staff: Susan Stimson
Artpark Staff are the people who make the programs happen. As the Artpark staff member who has been part of the administrative team for the longest tenure, Susan has over 25 years at Artpark as our Production Manager.

Susan has not only helped shape the buildings and landscape of the park but she is a true unsung hero working countless hours behind the scenes in service to the performers and productions. On performance days she is often the first person to arrive, and the last to leave.

She is most thankful to be a mom to Ella who grew up at Artpark and is now following in Susan’s footsteps in the Arts. Artpark is Susan’s 2nd home and she states she is “grateful and lucky to get to work with the Artpark team.”

Artpark Stage Crew: Jack Wrobel
Artpark Stage Crew put on the show. They are the ones behind the scenes building and setting the stage for all of Artpark’s incredible performing talent. Jack began working at Artpark when he was 19 years old. For 50 years, Jack’s commitment to Artpark and its Mission has been a driving factor for Artpark’s success. Before his recent retirement, Jack was the Head of Stage Crew at Artpark but also worked as the technical director for Niagara University Theatre, where he has been involved in local and national theater productions since 1975. 

Jack is also the president of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 121 of Niagara Falls. Jack's expertise, easygoing manner, and dedication are treasured by the Artpark family and beyond.

Artpark Patrons, past, present, future: Juniper DiGesare  (Dee-jeh-sar-ey)

The Artpark patrons are the part of Artpark that give it legacy, value, energy and a bright future.  They are the people that keep coming back and bring with them their passions, joys, creativity and enduring spirit.
 
In celebrating the patrons that make Artpark such a vibrant and engaging environment,  a child who has participated in a multitude of the programs was selected. Juniper has danced at Artpark Amphitheater concerts, delighted in Niagara Ballet performances, listened in awe to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra fill the MainStage, tiptoed through the Fairy House Festival, collectively produced art shows at ArtCamp, created artwork during Free Family Saturdays, thrown pottery with Master artists and actively participated in countless Artpark events. Juniper represents the past, present and future of Artpark patrons that will continue to contribute their wonder and joy with each generation.
 

State Parks: Vincent Iacovitti
Artpark is a New York State Park, managed and maintained in partnership with
the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  In addition to its fine performing and visual arts programs, the park is home to a variety of historic sites and scenic nature trails.
 
Vincent has worked for New York State Parks for 21 years. A hard working and dedicated employee, he worked his way from Toll Booth attendant to Electrician for New York State Parks and Artpark in 2006. With his knowledge and skill, Vince served as Safety Manager from 2012-2015, keeping the region safe. In 2015, Vincent earned the coveted title of Park Manager at Artpark.  During this time, he was an invaluable support to the Arts programming. He revitalized the Storytelling Place utilizing leftover lumber from an Arts Installation. He even spent personal time rewiring the electricity in the ceramics kiln so that children could go home with their fired pottery. Vince currently supports Artpark and many other New York State Parks in his role as Deputy Director of the Niagara Region, since 2022. Vince is a true hero in the eyes of Artpark families.

The Artists of Artpark: Alison Lytle
The Artists of Artpark contribute their brilliance and skill to create programming and experiences unlike any other in the region. Alison Lytle has always been an Artist. When she was in high school and college, she worked as an Artist Assistant at Artpark. She toiled in the summer sun and well into the evenings alongside a number of now legendary artists during their residencies, creating large scale artwork for the patrons of Artpark. Alison can even be seen walking along the ArtEl in the 1976 cinematic film, Artpark People.

Her life-journey has taken her through many artistic pursuits since her years of making art at Artpark. Her talents especially shine in her Visual Artistry. Alison’s studio practice presently focuses on sculpture, assemblage, and mixed media and her works have been seen locally and abroad. And in her work as an educator she has taught and inspired many, while at the same time serving as an ambassador for Artpark. 

Her knowledge and skill are invaluable throughout the WNY Arts Community. A true Artpark Artist, Alison has served for over a decade on the Artpark Board of Directors, the Visual Arts and Performing Arts Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and the Board Advisory Committee.

Artpark Legacy: Jason Brydges
In 1976 Artpark was named after the great Niagara Falls attorney, New York State Senator, and Majority Leader, Earl W. Brydges, who for most of his political career focused on educational policy, economic development, tourism, special education, and mental health. In addition to many other major accomplishments, he advocated vigorously for the formation of Artpark for the people he served in WNY. It is with great respect that we honor his grandson, Jason Brydges.
 
Jason has his own Artpark legacy as he has performed on the Artpark Mainstage as a youngster, attended many events at Artpark over the decades, and served on the Artpark Board of Directors for over 10 years. Preceded on the board by his sister Kirsten Lawley, his uncle Tom Brydges, and his father Earl W. Brydges, Jr., Jason has provided a significant role in facility initiatives within the park. Like his grandfather, Jason is also an advocate for the visual and performing arts and the public programming presentation in this beautiful and historic setting in Lewiston. Jason’s expertise as a professional engineer also makes him a valuable member of the Artpark family and champion of the WNY community.

Artpark Volunteers: Bruce Boe
Artpark Volunteers are the heroes who support Artpark programming in countless ways and we cannot thank them enough. They show up every day with a smile and a renewed mission to help. It is with gratitude and joy that Artpark honors Bruce Boe as a representative of all of the incredibly wonderful Artpark Volunteers. Bruce can be seen offering to lend a hand at practically every event.  He even brings his children and grandchildren to volunteer at Artpark.

He served in the army for 3 years and did a tour in Vietnam. In his professional life, Bruce worked for the Niagara Junction Railroad, the NFTA and as a New York State Parks employee at Artpark. He currently lives with his wife in Lewiston, visited and beloved by his 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Bruce has volunteered at Artpark for 8 years and has seen the park through tough times, always standing by our side and helping bring us to greater heights!

Indigenous Representation: Violet Printup
Artpark sits on Haudenosaunee land. All Nations walk together in parallel, with respect, compassion, and understanding to cultivate an inclusive community for our shared future. Violet Printup is that future.
 
Violet is a member of the Tuscarora Nation Bear Clan. She is a junior at Niagara University studying communications. This summer, Violet is interning for the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force (HETF).  She also participates in the HETF Youth Corp, which works to bring together youth to talk about their concerns for the environment for the future generations. Violet was celebrated in her leadership and civic commitment as Miss Tuscarora 2022-2023. 

She was part of the Red Dress Exhibit at Artpark and coordinated the US dress with youth from other Nations.  Violet Printup gave the welcoming address at Artpark’s Strawberry Moon Festival opening.  In 2024, Printup performed the jingle dress dance in the Gifted by Creator performance at Artpark. In her spare time, she enjoys doing beadwork, making Tuscarora style skirts, dresses and regalia. Violet is an important member of the Artpark community!