How this started

After completing school and relocating to the Hudson Valley in the fall of 2006 with my family, I was eager to get involved in a new community and continue to working on projects that I had been working on elsewhere. Most of these efforts focused on exploring unfamiliar territory, learning about its history and meeting new people.

Late last summer, I was at a meeting of the Beacon Art Community Association (BACA) that took place at Long Dock Beacon. At this event, I had the opportunity to meet Benjamin Krevolin, director of the Dutchess County Arts Council, and Margery Groten from Scenic Hudson. I spoke to both of them about an idea I had concerning the Hyde Park Drive In. Benjamin supported the idea of doing a project in Hyde Park and recommended I apply for a grant through the arts council. Margery and I spoke about Scenic Hudson's effort at the site.

So, I endeavored to apply for funding for this project through the DECA Art in the Community Grants that the Dutchess County Arts Council administers. A major hurdle of applying for the grant was to get a community sponsor. I contacted several organizations eventually speaking with Greg Callahan of the Hyde Park Free Library, who was gracious enough to sponsor the project. So, I applied for funding in late September.

In mid December, I heard that the project was accepted and have proceeded to move forward.