“Open the Doors”
Virtual Gala
Held Thursday, May 6th

Donations Still Gratefully Accepted to
Help us transform Building 35 into the Hudson Valley’s newest public art space.

GARNER proudly honored Jeff O'Neil, of Industrial Arts Brewing Company, with our inaugural “Hudson Valley Maker of the Year Award” for his distinct accomplishments in creative entrepreneurship.

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Performances Included:
Tony Award-winning Actor and Comedian, Bill Irwin | American Cellist, Ashley Bathgate | NY Bistro and ACOR Award-winning Jazz duo, Shirley Crabbe & David Budway | Musical Artist and Composer, Hervé Alexandre

Click thumbnails to view. Double click to enlarge.

World-Premiere Group Collab Performance by:
Travis Stever of Coheed and Cambria, Chondra Sanchez of Chonny and Clyde, Tucker Rule of Thursday, Soren Richter (Singer/Songwriter), Ryan Kelly of Snoopy and The Who?

Live Panel Guests Included:
Founder of Industrial Arts Brewing Company, Jeff O’Neil | Founder of 1stdibs and Valley Rock Inn, Michael Bruno | Founding Artistic Director, HERE & Co-Founding Dir PROTOTYPE, Kristin Marting | Managing Partner, MPACT Collective, Ryan Porter | President & CEO, National Resources, Joe Cotter

Feature Maker Segment Included:
ARCH Production & Design NYC

Mayors’ Roundtable: Village of West Haverstraw Mayor Robert D’Amelio, Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut and Village of Sleepy Hollow Mayor Ken Wray, moderated by former Village of Nyack Mayor & GARNER Board member Jen Laird-White

Donor Levels with Impact & Benefits

+ Believer - $100

Benefit – Be recognized as a “Believer” during virtual gala and receive a free annual GARNER Arts Center membership. Impact – Provides one row of LED gallery lightbulbs.

+ Virtual Table Host - $250

Benefit – Become a “Virtual Table Host” for 10 guests and be recognized as “Table Host” at virtual gala + benefits of preceding donor level. Impact – Covers two five-gallon buckets of gallery paint.

+ Future Maker - $500

Benefit – Be recognized as a “Believer” during virtual gala, free admission for 2 for up to 4 in-person GARNER programs in 2021/22 + benefits of all preceding donor levels. Impact – Covers all bulbs and installation costs for overhead gallery lighting.

+ Visionary - $1,000

Benefit – Be recognized as “Visionary” during the virtual gala. Name or company name inscribed in brick on the "Walk of Visionaries", leading up to Building 35 + benefits of all preceding donor levels. Impact – Covers 1/10 of exterior railings for gallery and welcome center entrance.

+ Community Builder - $2,500

Benefit – Shared recognition as “Community Builder” during the virtual gala. One-year listing and link on GARNER website, previews to all gallery and site-specific openings in 2021/22 and private docent tour of GARNER artisan studios + benefits of all preceding donor levels. Impact – Funds 1/5 of fire alarm system for Building 35 facility.

+ Founder - $5,000

Benefit – Solo recognition page as “Founder” is shown during the virtual gala. Admission (for two) to GARNER’s 2022 benefit gala, name inscribed on the “Wall of Honor” in Building 35, James Tyler Brick head Assemblage + benefits of all preceding donor levels. Impact – Offsets 1/3 of new Building 35 gallery front door and custom frame.

+ Community Partner - $10,000

Benefit – Solo recognition page as “Community Partner” is shown during the virtual gala. Two additional admissions to GARNER’s annual benefit gala (totaling four), the opportunity to host a private event in the newly completed Building 35 gallery + benefits of all preceding donor levels. Impact – Covers 1/3 of new Building 35 "Welcome Center" entrance and accessibility ramp.

+ History Maker - $25,000

Benefit – Solo recognition plus live speech as “History Maker” is presented during virtual gala. Individual or business earns “Host billing” for your choice of two annual GARNER events, including the annual spring festival in 2022 + benefits of all preceding donor levels. Impact – Funds approx. 1/3 of 2021 Building 35 restoration project drive.

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation

About the Building 35 Campaign

GARNER Arts Center held its online gala titled “Open the Doors” on Thursday, May 6th. It was an engaging and thought-provoking event marking the relaunch of GARNER’s capital campaign to open its new art gallery, regional visitor’s center and permanent base of operations in Building 35, a masterful, repurposed 19th century industrial-era building. This project will change the way GARNER’s local patrons and regional visitors alike will experience arts and cultural events in this 21st Century creative community space.

With YOUR help, we raised over $25,000! From the top, middle and bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.

We still need to reach our fundraising goal of $80,000 to unlock New York State matching grant funds to complete this historic building’s 21st century transformation. By opening Building 35, GARNER is putting the arts and culture at the center of creating economic and social opportunity in North Rockland County and New York’s Hudson Valley Region. “Open the Doors” celebrated the makers and creators of our region who are transforming their communities into more vibrant, livable and thriving places.

This fundraising campaign is a call for support to reopen this dynamic Arts Center, which was temporarily closed after its host mill complex, the Garner Historic District sustained significant damage from Hurricane Irene flooding [including the total loss of our Main Gallery]. After months of rebuilding infrastructure, it is with your generous support that we will now be able to complete renovations on Building 35 [our new home] and reopen the Arts Center’s new permanent base of operations. Again, we thank you.