Artpark & Company announces election of officers at annual meeting, reviews anniversary season highlights & accomplishments

Highlight video now available

Artpark & Company Press Release

Artpark & Company held its annual meeting at The Buffalo Club on Oct. 16, reviewing its recently completed 50th anniversary season.

Interim President Dave Wedekindt reported to the Artpark & Company board of directors on the organization’s highlights and accomplishments. The 2024 season featured a characteristically robust and diverse schedule of 26 Artpark Amphitheater and Mainstage Theater concerts, three festivals (Strawberry Moon Festival, Fairy House Festival, Better Off Read Summer Book Festival), Indigenous programs, new art installations, Artpark Bridges workshops, world premieres, the 50th anniversary gala, plus performing, visual and literary art residencies, art camps, field trips and programs serving the youth, and an expansion of adult art classes and activities. Well over 90,000 visitors from throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario experienced these events and programs during the 2024 season. Artpark & Company’s estimated economic impact to the region was $11.7 million.

Artpark & Company 50th anniversary season file photo

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Members of the Artpark & Company board of directors reelected Joanne Bauer as chair for another one-year term.

The following officers continue to fulfill their roles as members of the board: Christopher Leardini as vice chair, Stephen Turner as treasurer and Vincent Agnello as secretary. 

The Artpark & Company Board also reelected the following directors: Dena Armstrong, Michael Dowd, John Camp, Omar Khan, Joseph Certo and Christopher Leardini.

The following members were elected to the advisory council for a one-year term: Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick, Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, Daniel Cantara III, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt, Terry Collesano, Sophia Slaysman, Thomas Fatta, Richard Soluri, Brian Geary, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch, Seymour Knox IV, Legislator Rebecca Wydysh and Alison Lytle.

The Artpark & Company board of directors and advisory council members can be viewed here.

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Artpark & Company’s season was also supported by M&T Bank; the New York State Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; the Cullen Foundation; the Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; The Stenclik Family Charitable Fund; Pamela and Joseph L. Priest; The Baird Foundation; HSBC; Benderson Development; Grigg Lewis Foundation Inc.; Lake Placid Center for the Arts; the Niagara Fall Bridge Commission; the Buffalo Sabres Foundation; the Quebec Government Office in New York; the Canadian Consulate; Labatt Blue Light; Bud Light; Southern Tier Brewing; Buffalocal; Northtown Automotive Companies; Ticketmaster; Global Telecom Exchange; Insurance Exchange of America; and Modern Disposal Services.

Generous support was also provided by the Niagara County Legislature, Town of Lewiston, and many more corporate, foundation and individual donors.

More information on Artpark & Company and its activities is available here.