Artpark & Company recaps 2016 season, board names new chair

5 new directors elected

Artpark & Company's annual meeting, held at the Niagara Falls Country Club on Wednesday, Oct. 12, celebrated the 2016 season, which was filled with new and expanded programs.

Under new Executive Director Sonia Clark, Artpark presented 18 amphitheater concerts, including a special show with country music icon Dolly Parton, and a two-day Fairy House Festival that was enriched with European street theater performers.

Three new interactive art installations, including the popular Percussion Garden, were launched, while the free "Music in the Woods" series introduced a partnership with the University at Buffalo's School of Music.

Globally acclaimed dance troupe Bale De Rua brought the North American premiere of "Baila Brazil" to the Mainstage Theater. The "Baila Brazil" celebration was complemented with vivacious after-parties and an engaging parade down Center Street into Artpark.

The Artpark board of directors named Dena Armstrong of Sevenson Environmental as chairwoman. Michael Giaquinto of Palladian Health and Alison Lytle of Lytle & Associates were elected as vice chairs. Vince Agnello of Niagara University will serve as treasurer. Mary Jo Farrell was elected board secretary.

New directors elected include Joanne Bauer of the Bauer Family Foundation; Thomas Burrows; Daniel Forsyth of Siegel, Kelleher & Kahn; Gary Marchiori of Energy Mark; Daniel Montante of Montante Solar; and Stephen Turner of the Bonadio Group.

The board re-elected directors Jason Brydges, Chris A. Sebastian and Duncan R. Smith for a three-year term.

Those elected to the advisory council for a term of one year include Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick, Thomas Brydges, Daniel Cantara III, Assemblyman John Ceretto, Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano, Francine DelMonte, Thomas Fatta, Brian Geary, Michele O. Heffernan, Pamela Jacobs-Vogt, Seymour Knox IV, New York State Sen. Robert Ortt, Richard Soluri, Lorie Washuta and Niagara County Legislature Rebecca Wydysh.