Poughkeepsie Arts Organization Expands

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Mid-Hudson Heritage Center is pleased to announce the addition of 6 community members to its board of directors. Since its founding in 2011, the organization has continued to expand its arts and cultural offerings to the public. These new board members will help to develop additional creative opportunities for residents and visitors. The new members are:

Julia Whitney Barnes is an accomplished artist, muralist, and ceramicist who has been widely acclaimed for her public art installations. Julia is an adjunct professor in the arts at Marist College.

Nickesha Chung is the Environmental Outreach Organizer for Scenic Hudson, Inc. Nickesha was a Fulbright Scholar in the Kingdom of Swaziland, Africa, focusing on water supply issues and also served as a Human Relations Specialist with the US Army Reserves.

Tracy Dwyer is a designer and project manager at Ashworth Creative, where she specializes in website design and client relations. Tracy has also been a branding specialist with local and national firms.

Melanie Klein is an Associate Professor in the English and Humanities Department at Dutchess Community College. Melanie is also a published poet and a creator of kinetic art installations.

Franky Perez is a guidance counselor in the Poughkeepsie Middle School and was previously a counselor in the Poughkeepsie High School. Franky is fluently bilingual in English and Spanish.

Sarah Salem is the Development Associate with Dutchess Outreach, where she handles fundraising and program development. Sarah has been an intern with Hudson Valley Patterns for Progress and previously worked as a financial services representative for a local financial institution.

The Mid-Hudson Heritage Center is a non-profit organization, based in Poughkeepsie, dedicated to providing opportunities for community members to tell their stories through the arts and cultural projects and events. MHHC operates four venues in Poughkeepsie: the Heritage Center Gallery (317 Main Street), Art Centro (485 Main Street), PUF Studios (in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory at 8 N Cherry Street), and the Glebe House history center (635 Main Street).