KINGSTON – Mayor Steven Noble, the Department of Art & Cultural Affairs, and the Kingston Art Commission have announced that the 2020 Distinguished Artist Award recipient, musician Lara Hope, will perform live online to celebrate the start of her tenure.
On Friday, May 8, 2020, at 5:30 pm Lara Hope, accompanied by her life and musical partner, bass player Matt Goldpaugh, will perform a live-streamed concert via the City of Kingston’s Facebook page.
Lara Hope is a celebrated local musician, known for her work with Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones, and The Gold Hope Duo. Hope is the recipient of the 2017 Ameripolitan Music Award for Best Female Rockabilly Artist. She has performed at many local events and is a worldwide touring musician.
“Lara Hope is an integral part of our local artist community here in Kingston, and we appreciate that she will be giving us a performance so we can enjoy her live music from home,” said Mayor Noble. “I hope everyone will tune in and congratulate Lara on winning the 2020 Kingston Distinguished Artist Award!”
“With everything going on right now, I think it’s more important than ever to stay connected with each other virtually, and music is a great way to keep our spirits lifted, and find a sense of normalcy,” said Hope. “It’s physical distance that we need to avoid, not social. I am so happy to be able to play a mini-concert, from my home to yours, and I look forward to being able to serenade you in person as soon as it’s safe to do so!”
The Distinguished Artist Award was established by the Kingston Arts Commission in 2018 to honor the contributions of local artists. Awardees are selected every two years and are expected to conduct one community event during their tenure. Artists in any discipline are eligible to be nominated: music, theatre, dance, literary, visual, or media arts. The recipients are chosen based upon the level of their artistry, commitment to the art form, commitment to the community, and recognition in the field locally, nationally or internationally. Nominees must be a resident of the City of Kingston for at least two years. The inaugural awardees were visual artist Julie Hedrick and musician Peter Wetzler.
The panel for the Distinguished Artist Award was comprised of five Kingston residents: Bryant “Drew” Andrews, Executive Director, Center for Creative Education; Brian Mahoney, Editor, Chronogram Magazine; Julio Nazario, professional artist and former Assistant Dean at Rutgers University; Aaron Rezny, food and still-life photographer; and Virginia Walsh, Director and Curator of Exhibitions at Ann Street Gallery.
To learn more about the Distinguished Artist Awards, contact the Department of Art & Cultural Affairs or visit: https://www.kingston-ny.gov/distinguishedartists
