MaArCo, the Marlborough Arts Coalition, is a thriving artistic community along the Hudson River’s Marlborough Mountain Ridge area of the Hudson Valley. MaArCo is a not-for-profit organization committed to fostering vibrant arts events through advocacy, collaboration, and providing exhibition opportunities to their  members, as well as guest artists, throughout the region. It is their great joy to create spaces for immersive arts engagement for the broader community through Gallery MaArCo exhibits and public art installations. Two notable projects MaArCo has collaborated on are the Marlborough Apple Parade and the RMV Cellars Sculpture Garden. Please go to MaArCo.org to learn more about the group and how to get involved.

Alessandra Gonzalez is a Boricua singer-songwriter, Latin fusion artist, and community advocate based in Kingston, New York. Through music, cultural organizing, and community collaborations, she is passionate about creating spaces where diverse voices, traditions, and stories are celebrated throughout the Hudson Valley. As Chief Operating Officer of LOUD (Latin Outreach Unity & Development), Alessandra helps lead cultural events that uplift local artists and strengthen community connection through the arts. Her work has included collaborations with organizations such as the City of Kingston, Ulster County, Center for Creative Education, O+, MyKingstonKids, and Kingston Land Trust. In 2025, she was recognized with a Community Service Award for her stewardship and dedication to summer programs supporting homeless children in the City of Poughkeepsie. Through both art and advocacy, Alessandra continues to inspire others to reconnect with their voice, culture, and dreams.

Maxine Leu is an interdisciplinary artist, art educator, and environmentalist from Taiwan. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Tainan University of Technology (TUT) in Tainan, Taiwan and her Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Her work focuses on the environment, communication, and identity. She has been promoting workshops about upcycling and recycling that have been inspired by concerns over global warming, waste production, and other environmental issues. Starting in 2022, Leu is the initiator and producer of The Annual Eco Arts Week at MKAD (Midtown Kingston Arts District), where her goal is to bring the community together through art and raise public environmental awareness.

HUDSY is a nonprofit film production company dedicated to educating and connecting communities through the power of visual storytelling. Based in Kingston, HUDSY amplifies local voices through original documentary films reflecting the culture and lived experiences of the region and provides paid workforce development and mentorship for emerging filmmakers through its Filmmaker Apprenticeship Program. Through screenings, events, and partnerships, HUDSY strengthens community connections, including through this year’s 250 Acts of Positive Change (hudsy.org/250acts), a yearlong initiative producing 250 micro-documentaries celebrating acts of service, creativity, healing, and community impact across the region. Learn more at hudsy.org

Assembly is the Hudson Valley’s premier concert venue and event space. Located in the historic and vibrant Stockade District, Assembly has quickly become a community hub for entertainment and gathering in a city redefining itself as a destination for arts and culture. With a capacity of up to 500 attendees, Assembly offers an intimate atmosphere with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, showcasing a diversity of renowned national, international, and local talent. Beyond concerts, Assembly hosts comedy, DJ nights, film screenings, markets, community gatherings, and private events. Assembly seeks to support both the arts and the community, positioning itself as a cornerstone of the Hudson Valley’s vibrant and flourishing cultural scene.

TJ and Debbie Briggs have devoted their lives to strengthening the Ellenville community through leadership, public service, and volunteerism. Debbie serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Shadowland Stages, while TJ serves on the Shadowland Foundation Board, supporting the growth of the region’s performing arts community. Debbie also serves on the SUNY New Paltz Council, the Board of Directors of the Borscht Belt Museum, and previously served as Chair of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees. TJ has dedicated more than 50 years as an EMT with the Ellenville First Aid & Rescue Squad, including over 20 years as President. He has served as Mayor of Ellenville, Village Trustee, Town of Wawarsing Councilman, and currently serves as an Ulster County Legislator. Volunteering is part of their fabric as a couple, having met volunteering for NYS Special Olympics. Together, they have supported numerous community organizations and traditions, reflecting their enduring commitment to public service and community life.

Brenda Bufalino is an internationally acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher whose career spans more than 30 years. As the creator and director of “The American Tap Dance Orchestra” and “The Dancing Theater Company”, she was among the first choreographers to bring tap dance to the concert stage, performing at major venues including New York City's Joyce Theater and Town Hall, as well as touring throughout the United States and Europe. A longtime collaborator and mentee of the well-known actor and tap dancer Charles “Honi” Coles, Bufalino helped spark the modern tap dance revival. In 1974, she founded “The Dancing Theater” in New Paltz, New York, where Coles and members of the Copasetic Club were brought to perform, quickly reintroducing Tap Dance to the global spotlight. She later produced and directed the award-winning documentary Great Feats of Feet: A Portrait of the Jazz and Tap Dancer. Bufalino continues to share the art form through performance, choreography, storytelling, and teaching in New York and the Hudson Valley.

James Martin aka JW Cornbroom is a painter, sculptor, filmmaker, and an art gallery curator. He has been serving the Hudson Valley arts community as an art gallery curator, particularly at The Lace Mill Galleries in Kingston, for over 10 years. During that time he curated over a hundred art exhibitions expanding to artists, not only of the Hudson Valley, but New York City as well. His exhibits gained notoriety with articles written in Hudson Valley One, Chronogram, The Daily Freeman, as well as NYC art publications such as The Brooklyn Rail, Hyperallergic, and more. By creating monthly art shows and writing monthly press releases he has been instrumental in giving many artists the exposure and outlet they deserve.

Angel is a passionate visual artist who uses art as a powerful form of self-expression and personal freedom. Through painting and sewing, she has discovered a creative voice that allows her to express emotions openly without limitations. Through her studies at SUNY Ulster and State University of New York at New Paltz, she has developed strong skills in painting and printmaking, while continuing to expand her technique.

Art has played an important role in Angel’s life, helping her navigate difficult experiences while encouraging self-discovery and personal growth. In addition to her creative talents, she brings warmth, positivity, and a welcoming spirit to her work at MKAD, where she is known for her bright smile and uplifting attitude.

Matoaka Little Eagle (Tewa, Apache, Chickahominy) is a culture bearer, singer, dancer, storyteller, and educator. She has introduced thousands of people to the beauty and spirit of diverse Native cultures. Dispelling stereotypes and fostering respect, she brings truth in history to audiences in schools, colleges, museums, theaters, and organizations. Matoaka has worked with many outstanding artists, musicians, and cultural organizations, including David Amram, Pete Seeger, John Cage, Vanaver Caravan, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, Juilliard School of Music, Distant Thunder (the musical), Museum of the American Indian, NPR, and many others. Currently residing in New Paltz, New York, Matoaka continues to enjoy teaching through music, dance, and storytelling.