Other Community Programs
RISE UP, DANCE ON!
In Fall 2022, we partnered with the Dutchess Office for the Aging to offer a series of free dance classes for seniors at the Forrestal Friendship House in Beacon. See our press release to learn more about this program.
TINY FOOD PANTRY BUILD
In collaboration with the food justice organization Fareground, and funded by the Genesis Inspiration Foundation Compass Arts held a workshop for teenagers and their families to build tiny food pantries in April 2022. Local woodworker and sculptor Andrew Brehm led the construction of several food pantries which were placed in locations throughout Beacon.
INTERCONNECTED
Our 2021 program “InterConnected: Arts in the Parks,” a collaboration with Beacon Recreation funded by Arts Mid-Hudson and Dutchess Tourism, brought free interactive performances to city parks throughout the summer. In true Compass Arts style, this program blurred the lines between art forms and between audience and observer. Programming included a follow-along life drawing workshop with artist Ed Murr and model Sophia Jackson; an “ambiart” workshop and performance on drawing simultaneously with right and left hands led by Ambiartist Donna Mikkelson, featuring live music by Gwen Laster and Damon Banks; a performance by the musical trio the Sparrow Sisters along with a pre-show activity where kids could make recycled instruments to play along; and a poetry and music performance by Poet Gold and her band, presented with a collage poetry activity for attendees.
INTERGENERATIONAL
In the 2021 summer following the global pandemic, Compass Arts Creativity Project partnered with Common Ground Farm to offer arts-based, family-friendly events at the farm. These outdoor gatherings allowed for easy social distancing and much-needed community building. Each week, participants were guided by a Common Ground farmer to pick seasonal vegetables, which they could then make into a salad or side dish to accompany their picnic dinner. After dinner, families would participate in a fun activity aimed at multiple age groups, and guided by one of our teaching artists. Activities included a campfire singalong; a hula hoop dance and activity session; a creative movement workshop; a yoga and mindfulness workshop; still life drawing; and theatre games. We offered this program with sliding scale pricing to ensure that it was affordable to our community.
SINGALONGS
Executive director Gina Samardge has a long history of holding singalongs. Following Pete Seeger’s guiding light, Gina is a believer in the power of the collective singing experience to build community and steady the soul. Singalongs are a regular offering at Compass Arts, and in particular we have partnered with Common Ground Farm to offer outdoor campfire singalongs that function as fundraisers or just fun events for the community.
