Chamber salutes Artpark’s success with Chairman’s Award

Artpark -- a shining jewel

Final preparations are now in place for “Everything Is Coming Up Roses,” The Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce 2005 Gala, this evening at the Niagara Falls Country Club, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Wrapping up the Chamber’s profiles in today’s Sentinel and in preview for “Tuesdays in the Park“ 2005, which begins Tuesday, we take look at Artpark, recognized this year with the Chamber’s Chairman’s Award.

by Sandy Hays-Mies
Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 4, 2005

Janice McCaw, chair of the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, has selected Artpark to receive its prestigious Chair Award.

This is an award that is chosen at the discretion of the chair and is designed to recognize the outstanding achievement of a business or organization within the River Region.

Artpark officially opened on July 25, 1974, along the majestic Niagara River gorge. The 2,300-seat theater was completed in 1973 and has served as a platform for an impressive list of performing artists, including Ethel Merman, Count Basie, Miles Davis, Gordon Lightfoot, Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Don McClean, Bonnie Raitt and Natalie Cole.

Unique Offering

Artpark is unique among arts facilities and parks scattered throughout the country. It provides arts, education and program offerings to develop the talents of visual and performing artists, along with concert events that provide entertainment as well as cultural enrichment. They also offer a wide variety of family-oriented programming including camps, Family Saturdays and On School Time shows.

During the three decades of its existence, Artpark has become not only a premiere performing and visual arts center, but also an economic engine for the businesses in our area. Their 30th anniversary season, which it celebrated in 2004, drew more than 140,000 patrons -- the largest in more than two decades.

Region Benefits

When theater and park patrons flock to Lewiston during the summer months, they provide an influx of business activity to our shops and restaurants. Artpark’s “Tuesday in the Park” concert series has grown from a community gathering to a notable Buffalo-southern Ontario area concert destination, drawing visitors from as far away as California and Florida. (See related story in today’s Sentinel.)

These concerts are held in Artpark’s outdoor amphitheater, which will be expanded to hold nearly 20,000 patrons during the 2005 season. The revamped facility will be complete with covered box seats for corporate sponsors.

Artpark has played a major role in putting Lewiston on the map. In the early 1960s, the New York state Legislature was actively advancing the development of area historic sites as tourist attractions. Then-Senate Majority leader Earl W. Brydges was instrumental in securing state funding for this project.

To acknowledge Sen. Brydges’ devotion to Artpark and the great effort he expended in bringing the idea to fruition, the park was formally dedicated in his honor in 1976. Today, we are very proud to have attorney Earl W. Brydges Jr. and Artpark President George Osborne serving as active board members of the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce.

New Partnership

Over the years, state appropriations for arts and cultural organizations has diminished considerably. In 1997, Artpark and Company Inc. entered into a licensing agreement with the state of New York to manage the programming of the park through 2007 and hopefully beyond. Artpark and Company along with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation continue to work in partnership in an effort to safeguard the future of Artpark as a performing and visual arts complex and a Lewiston jewel.

As with any organization, great leadership is the key ingredient to success. Osborne and his staff are fully integrated into the fabric of Lewiston. Marketing Director Maureen Kellick serves on our Lewiston Advisory Board and is always willing to partner with businesses for their mutual benefit. This year, Artpark produced a 2005 Dining Guide to encourage visitors to patronize our restaurants.

Shining Jewel

Thanks to George Osborne, a relationship with the Buffalo Philharmonic has been re-ignited and Artpark now serves as their official summer residence. Also, Artpark is now fully integrated into the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival (Aug. 25-28) and will host two jazz performances in the theater as part of the weekend package of entertainment. It is noteworthy to point out that Osborne also serves on the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival board.

We would be remiss in not thanking the Artpark board of directors that has helped to shape Artpark’s emergence into a financially sound, shining jewel in our community.

The 2005 season is going to be perhaps one of the best on record. For details, see the complete schedule on the NFP Web site at www.wnypapers.com or check it out at artpark.net.