New Patroon Award to be presented on 10/10/12

Jeffrey Mirel, Founder of Albany Barn, Inc. will be recognized for leadership in creative arts, economic development and community building

Attend FUSION 10/12
at the Lake House
in Washington Park

The Albany Roundtable has selected Albany Barn, Inc, its board of directors, and founder Jeffrey Mirel to receive its prestigious New Patroon Award for the organization’s efforts to cultivate support for the arts and develop a permanent, sustainable 21st Century creative arts incubator and community art center in Albany. The award will be presented at the first meeting of the Albany Roundtable’s 34th season on Wednesday, October 10th.

Register for the 10/10 Roundtable Lunch

A founding principle of Albany Barn is that art transforms communities. The organization’s name originates from the tradition of barn-raising, when a community came together to build a barn. In turn, that barn would enable a family to contribute to the prosperity of the entire community. Albany Barn is a community effort to “Raise The Barn” and lift Albany’s artists, youth and neighborhoods.

“Since 2004, the visionaries behind Albany Barn have leveraged the talents and passion of creative artists to support worthy causes,” said Colleen Ryan, President of the Albany Roundtable. “As author Richard Florida wrote, ‘Every single human being is creative. Economic growth is driven by creativity, so if we want to increase it, we have to tap into the creativity of everyone.’ Albany Barn is dedicated to creating a place for artists, neighborhood residents and the public alike to create, collaborate, present and explore, particularly those who cannot afford or otherwise access such space and services. In doing so, Albany Barn is fostering a more vibrant and sustainable city. We are delighted to honor Jeff and Albany Barn with the New Patroon award.”

The featured speaker for the October 10 luncheon is attorney and political analyst Bruce Gyory, who will share his thoughts on the 2012 elections. Bruce has over 28 years of experience as a lawyer, served three Governors of New York (two as Senior Advisor), and is now part of the team at Albany’s Corning Place Communications. He is an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Albany, and received a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor from New York University.

The Albany Roundtable established its Good Patroon Award 1988 to celebrate outstanding contributions to the community by institutions and individuals. While the Good Patroon Award has traditionally honored organizations and individuals with a long record of service to the community, the

Roundtable launched its New Patroon Award in 2011 to highlight and encourage the work of newer organizations.

            The most recent Good Patroon Award winners include Amy Klein and Capital District Community Gardens; Maude Baum, Artistic Director of eba Dance Theatre; housing and social justice advocates Roger and Maria Markovics; and Christine M. Miles, Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art. Catherine Hedgeman and The Stakeholders, Inc., received the first New Patroon Award in 2011.

The October 10 Roundtable Luncheon begins at 12:00 noon and will be held at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany at 141 Washington Avenue. The luncheon is open to the public and the cost is $20, which may be paid at the door. This year, the Roundtable is also offering its guests the option of paying in advance with a credit card at www.albanyroundtable.com. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations are required by Tuesday, October 9 and may be made by prepaying online, by calling 518-431-1400 (the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail to albanyroundtable@yahoo.com.

“When he died in 1839, Stephen Van Rensselaer III was remembered as ‘The Good Patroon’ for his benevolent attitude toward the residents of Rensselaerswyck,” said Ryan. “The Good Patroon and New Patroon Awards are the Albany Roundtable’s means of honoring those leaders who make our community a better place to live. We are so pleased to be able to present Jeff and Albany Barn with this award.”