To Benefit
PROGRAM BOOK
Thursday, June 16, 2022 6:00 – 8:00 pm
SPOKE’s New Cultural Hub
Crossing the
“Men work together, I told him from the heart, whether they work together or apart.” Robert Frost Dear Friends, We all have a story, I have mine, you have yours, we have ours, and more importantly we are all part of “The Story”, the story of being part of the big picture. One of the things we share is that THRESHOLDs open for each of us, sometimes suddenly and sometimes slowly. Some are joyful, some are sorrowful, some we expect and some we don’t. I am struck that at this very moment new THRESHOLDS are opening for many of you - births, marriages, loss, pain, joy…. I am reminded of the word Sonder, “Sonder — noun. The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.” The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. When I began this work, 30 years ago, I was called to see the truth of that statement in a profound way. You see, a generation of my peers was dying from a mysterious disease, AIDS/HIV. In 1992 we built our first gathering space at the Boston Center for the Arts for a Day With(Out) Art/World AIDS Day. I was ill-prepared for it but blessed to bear witness to the experiences people had in the space we built together. I have been fortunate to help create an organization, SPOKE, that honors the infinite spokes that make up the wheel, the spokes that give it balance. Each of you is significant to the whole, without anyone of you the world is incomplete. Without anyone of you this humble work of changing the world and creating, together, a shared future history will not happen. Thank you for always being by my side, whether we work together or apart, I tell you from the heart, thank you. Sincerely, Michael
Michael Dowling Founder & Artistic Director of Creative Programs & Partnerships SPOKE
Evening’s Program Sips & Savories Above & Beyond Catering Music The Sunset Kings Saxophone Solo Charles Murrell Dance Performance Kairos Dance Theater Welcome Dr. Rohit Chandra Continuing the Journey L’Merchie Frazier SPOKE at the THRESHOLD Indresano Studios THRESHOLD to Community Michael Dowling Honoring Barbara Krakow Michael & Barbara In Conversation Indresano Studios SPOKE Letta Neely We Are All SPOKEs Keith Marion Sweet Endings Dessert
Honoring
Barbara Krakow
Barbara Krakow is one of the most preeminent gallerists and Witkin Gallery since 1983 she has used her position to advance established artists such as Jenny Holzer, Sol LeWitt, Agnes Martin and Kiki Smith and helped provide opportunities for younger artists.
community in Boston’s response to the AIDS epidemic, helping event brought together the art community gallery owners, art collectors and artists, along with top Massachusetts political leaders to publicly support the AIDS Action Committee and its compassionate work to help people living with and dying from the disease. The Krakow Witkin Gallery still proudly sponsors an auction has raised over one million dollars since its beginning in 1989 and helps keep the issue of HIV/AIDS care and services in the forefront as the spotlight on the urgency of the epidemic has faded.
Honorary Committee
Kate Bennett, Boston Housing Authority Brett Eagan, DeVos Institute of Arts Management Lou Jones, Photographer Joyce Kulhawik, Boston Theater Critics Association Stephen Lynch, U.S. Congressman Michael Patrick MacDonald, Author Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Congresswoman Jill Medvedow, Institute of Contemporary Art
Event Co-Chairs Keith Marion Letta Neely
Community Connectors Sister Mary Adele, Catholic Charities Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW David Biele, State Representative Greg Bialecki, Redgate Kathleen Bitetti, Artist Activist Suzanne Bump, State Auditor Christopher Byner, PAL Police Athletic League Constance Cervone, Artist Activist Phyllis Corbitt, Old Colony Task Force Gary Daffin, Multicultural AIDS Coalition Justin Downey, MASS & CASS Ed Flynn, Boston City Council Richard Giglio, Activist/Arts Enthusiast Pamela Goodman, Beacon Communities Nigel Griffith, Bayard Rustin Breakfast Committee Pamela Hoyle, Activist Kathy Lafferty, South Boston Association of Non-Profits
John McGahan, Gavin Foundation Tom McGrath, South Boston Citizens Association Kaitlyn McKenna, In Good Co Bob Monahan, Julie’s Family Learning Center Erin Murphy, Boston City Council Melissa Ostrow, Artist Mercy Robinson, South Boston En Accion Phil Robinson, AAC 30-Year Volunteer Susan Rodgerson, Artists for Humanity Abe Rybeck, Artist Activist Francine Sasso, Artist Amanda Shea, Artist Activist Libbie Shufro, Activist Kay Walsh, South Boston Trauma Response Team Michael Clark Wonson, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Committee in formation
Board of Directors Adrianna Boulin Donna Brown Anycea Burgos-Thomas , Youth Rep Dr. Rohit Chandra, Chair Phyllis Corbitt Michael Dowling, Founder & Artistic Director
Marc LaCasse, Treasurer Keith Marion, Vice Chair Mark McGonagle, Emeritus Adela Mendez, Youth Rep Letta Neely Raymond Josue Rodriguez Rick Winterson, Secretary/Clerk
SPONSOR RECOGNITION
Amplify Voices
Donna Brown & Chris Mayer Greg Bialecki Linda & Brooks Zug Michael Dowling & Dan Hurley Natalie & Robert Culgin Ruby Machiz
Create Community
Robert & Sheila Frankel Rick Winterson Rohit Chandra Suzanne Bump Theo Bougas
SPONSOR RECOGNITION
Drive Social Change Allison Drescher Barbara Krakow David Leonard Gallery Naga Gary Machiz Harbor One Kaplan Construction Diane Davidson & Richard Giglio, Fine Homes Group at Keller Williams Mass Convention Center Winn Companies James Mitrano Pam Hoyle Aline Blanchard & Arthur Siciliano Jack & Anne Doyle
Friend Bill Coyne Brett Egan Christopher Cullinane & Amy Tobkin Constance Cervone & Janet Deegan Doctors Pradeep & Manju Chandra Eastern Bank Jim Collins Karen Young Kenn Freed Michael Moore Pam Goodman Shani Dowd Dennis Pellecchia Francine Sasso
Join SPOKE and cross the THRESHOLD, where art heals and transforms. What This Is:
THRESHOLD is a fundraising event to support SPOKE’s mission. We invite you to enjoy art and performance, food and drink, a brief speaking program and award presentation, followed by sweets and coffee to go.
Who We Are:
SPOKE activates the healing power of art to transcend division and strengthen our social fabric. Over 30 years, SPOKE has advanced a distinctive vision of art and culture through cooperative public art, exhibitions and performance, and creative youth development.
Where We Are:
Thanks to a unique public-private partnership with Beacon Communities and the City of Boston, SPOKE plans to transform a former maintenance building in South Boston’s Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony. After renovation, this new space will become a vital community cultural hub for major art exhibitions, community programs, and cultural action. The event will take place in this raw space, ready to be transformed with your help: 34 Rev. Richard A Burke St., South Boston, MA 02127
What We Do:
SPOKE harnesses the transformational power of art to open doors where traditional mediation and outreach approaches have failed. Our programs use creativity and care to foster the openness and courage required when re-examining deeply held assumptions and beliefs. Our projects create cultural experiences that unite diverse populations toward a shared future history. Whether you know us from years of serving youth, World AIDS Day With\out Art, or community projects originating with us or by invitation, using the power of art as the threshold to transcendence unites all our work.
SPOKE meets this moment by harnessing the healing power of art and cultural action to the groundwork of trust and empathy from which truth and reconciliation can emerge.
Union Square 55 Bow Street Somerville, MA 02143 617-666-2000
Back Bay 411 Marlborough Street Boston, MA 02115 617-262-0787
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617.268.1100 info@covetboston.com info@covetboston.com BEACON HILL info@covetboston.com HILL Boston, MA 02114 109BEACON Charles Street, 109 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 BEACON HILL 617.530.1111 109 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 617.530.1111 info@covetboston.com 617.530.1111 info@covetboston.com info@covetboston.com
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Beacon Communities would like to thank SPOKE for their impactful contribution to the South Boston community and The Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony
Linda & Brooks Zug
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We are SPOKES! Donna Brown & Chris Mayer
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Michael Dowling & Dan Hurley
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Greg Bialecki
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Ruby Machiz
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Natalie & Robert Culgin
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We are The Architectural Team 50 Commandant’s Way at Admiral’s Hill Chelsea, MA 02150 Get Directions P 617.889.4402 F 617.884.4329
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Robert & Sheila Frankel
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Rick Winterson I am a SPOKE!
Rohit Chandra I am a
Suzanne Bump I am a SPOKE!
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Theo Bougas I am a
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I am pleased to be honoring Barbara for her dedication to supporting art in Boston and beyond
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Submit a gift online through the QR code. Thank you!
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THANK YOU TO OUR PRODUCTION TEAM
www.spokeart.org 840 Summer St. Boston, MA 02127 (617) 315-7318
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