39th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson
The Dutchess County arts community will take center stage this fall as Arts Mid-Hudson presents the 39th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards, honoring nine remarkable individuals and organizations whose creativity and leadership enrich life across the region. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Curry Estate in Hopewell Junction, with food and drinks beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the awards presentation at 7:00 p.m.
Each year, the community nominates recipients, who are selected for their sustained contributions to Dutchess County’s cultural life, their exceptional support for the arts, and their vision in using arts and culture to strengthen community. Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino underscored that spirit, saying, “What I’ve always loved about the arts is how they connect us – whether it’s through a performance that moves us, a mural that makes us pause, or a song that brings back a memory. In Dutchess County, creativity is a part of who we are, and it’s our artists and cultural organizations who bring people together and give us so much to be proud of. The Arts Awards are a wonderful way to recognize their impact and celebrate the people whose talent and passion make our community the place it is.”
This year’s honorees span nine categories, reflecting the county’s breadth of artistry, education,advocacy, and philanthropy. The Artivist Award goes to Nikki Hung—a multidisciplinary artist, photographer, and curator—whose leadership at WomensWork.Art elevates women, femme, non-binary, and marginalized artists, and whose evocative imagery reveals the hidden beauty of Hudson Valley landscapes and historic spaces.
The Arts in Education Award will be presented to Carrie Decker, founder of Crazy Over ART on Tour, a mobile nonprofit providing hands-on art experiences to underserved communities. The Arts Organization Award goes to the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra (NDSO), now in its twentieth season, known for its live orchestral music, acclaimed soloists, engaging pre-concert talks, and family-friendly programming that educates and inspires Hudson Valley audiences.
Splash Art Murals, led by award-winning muralist Brian Zickafoose, receives the Business Award for vibrant public artworks, community projects, and initiatives like Art Day in the Village that expand access to arts and culture. The Individual Artist Award goes to Jessica Licciardello—artist, designer, and musician with a two-decade career spanning the Hudson Valley and global brands—whose 2025 exhibition, 8 Minutes to Freedom at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, delivers a powerful statement of resilience and hope.
The ThinkDIFFERENTLY in the Arts Award goes to Lonely Worm Farm, which integrates arts, ecology, and meaningful work for people with developmental disabilities. Sue Hartshorn receives the Patron in the Arts Award for her unwavering support of artists at all stages, fostering dialogue and community understanding. This year’s Youth with Exceptional Promise in the Arts Award is awarded to Madelyn McCormack, a dedicated dancer, choreographer, and teacher whose journey spans Cherilyn’s School of Dance, Marist Dance Ensemble, and Encompass Dance Collective.
The evening will remember Lou Trapani’s legacy as he is being awarded the Special Citation (posthumously). Trapani, visionary Artistic & Managing Director of The CENTER (1999–2023), is remembered for his mentorship, his beloved portrayal of Scrooge, and his creation of the Black Box space that nurtured emerging talent.
These remarkable individuals and organizations elevate the arts across our region. This year’s celebration will kick off with festive food and libations—including the signature AMHarita, courtesy of Advisor Share—before shifting to balloon-popping fun and the presentation of stunning awards crafted by Battle Hill Forge. All proceeds from the event directly support the arts in Dutchess County.
If you go:
39th Annual Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Awards
Curry Estate, 2737 NY-52, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Contact: (845) 454-3222
www.artsmidhudson.org/dc-arts-awards
