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2009 Heart of the Arts Awards Celebration
Friday, October 2, 2008 6:30 p.m.
The Forum Theatre Recital Hall, Binghamton
HEART OF THE ARTS RECIPIENTS
The Heart of the Arts Award recognizes an individual’s contributions to the arts in Broome County during the past year. There are five stellar recipients this year for three awards, sponsored by IBM Corporation, Frederick R. Xlander Law Offices, Coughlin & Gerhart LLP, and Jennings Environmental Management, Inc. The awards will be presented during the 6th Annual Heart of the Arts Awards Celebration on October 2, 2009 at the Forum Theatre in downtown Binghamton. And the recipients are:
Bill Gorman,
Performer, Photographer, Advocate for the Arts
Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Bill Gorman
is one of the best-known actors in the Southern Tier. Since 1978, Bill has performed
in over 100 productions at the Cider Mill Playhouse including Man of La Mancha,
Of Mice and Men, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Frog and Toad,
Death of a Salesman and the annual Christmas Carol. Bill Gorman also is
a fine photographer and an original member and past president of Cooperative Gallery
213. Bill has donated his talents as both actor and photographer to many local
fundraising activities. A committed advocate for the arts, he is a past board chairman
of the Broome County Arts Council and the United Cultural Fund Campaign, and currently
serves on the boards of Binghamton Downtown, Inc. and the Chenango River Theatre.
(Back to recipients list)
Tim Gleason,
Artistic Director, KNOW Theatre
Heart of the Arts Award recipient Tim
Gleason founded KNOW Theatre with a group of other dedicated actors in 1992. As KNOW
Theatre’s artistic director, he has produced a myriad of shows in a variety of temporary
venues, including church basements. In 2006, KNOW Theatre found a home 74 Carroll Street
in the Old Central Fire Station, which is now known as Binghamton City Stage. In three
years, KNOW has expanded rapidly: importing off-Broadway directors and movie star playwrights;
producing well known favorites and rarely produced gems; establishing an annual playwright’s
festival: offering educational opportunities including classes and workshops; and establishing
a gallery space for First Friday artists. Tim is a tireless advocate for downtown Binghamton
revitalization and has been active in the First Friday Art Walk, First Night® Binghamton,
and The Gorgeous Washington Street Association.
(Back to recipients list)
Naima Kradjian
Executive Director, Goodwill Theatre Inc.
Naima Kradjian has devoted her efforts to making a
difference in the Greater Binghamton arts community since 1988. Naima served on the Board
of the Goodwill Theatre for several years and is currently the Executive Director of the
Goodwill Theater Inc. She was one of the founders of the award winning First Night® Binghamton
New Year’s Eve celebration of the Arts. Naima was the interim CEO of First Night International
for 3 years. She was president of the Harpur Forum in 2002, and served on the boards of
many local arts and health related non-profit institutions. Naima currently serves on the
boards of the UHS Foundation and First Night International and serves on the Advisory
Board of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in New York City. She is the recipient
of numerous awards including the 2003 Jefferson Award for Community Service and the 1999
New York State Woman of Achievement from Governor George Pataki. Naima was named the
American Legion Post 80 Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2004.
(Back to recipients list)
Bill & Johanne Pesce
Co-founders, Windsor Whip Works Art Gallery
Bill & Johanne
Pesce are co-founders of the Windsor Whip Works Art Gallery. Early in their
43 year marriage, Bill and Johanne searched for a beautiful area to have
vacations with their four children and found it in the hills of Windsor,
where they now make their home. Johanne is a retired business educator.
Bill retired in 2006 as President and CEO of his own advertising agency
on Long Island. When what Bill calls "a dilapidated eyesore of a building"
on the corner across from the Windsor Village Green came on the market, they
bought it and spent more than five years renovating and restoring what is
now the Windsor Whip Works Art Gallery. It opened in October 2006 and its
success has proven to be a catalyst for artists and arts enthusiasts and
for revitalization efforts in Windsor and the surrounding community.
(Back to recipients list)
