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Eleanor Jones Harvey and David Redden are this year’s recipients of the Frederic Church Award, the Olana Partnership announced.
The award honors individuals who, through their vision, commitment and grasp of creative trends, make extraordinary contributions to American art and culture. This year’s virtual Frederic Church Award Gala takes place Dec. 9.
Harvey is senior curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, a leading authority on American landscape painting and a champion of American Art at the national level. She is also the newest member of The Olana Partnership’s National Advisory Committee.
This announcement of her award coincides with the opening of her landmark exhibition, “Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature, and Culture.” the exhibition celebrates the sweeping saga of how Humboldt’s groundbreaking scientific work shaped American cultural identity. Frederic Church’s engagement with Humboldt’s thinking is at the center of the exhibition, and Harvey’s engagement with Church and his legacy as America’s foremost landscape artist
extends from her decade as curator of American Art at the Dallas Museum of Art (1992-2002), home to Church’s “The Icebergs (1861).”
Church was also featured in her groundbreaking 2012 exhibition, “The Civil War and American Art.” The award recognizes her leading role in bringing Church’s legacy forward to new generations.
Redden’s 42-year career at Sotheby’s is the stuff of legend. Starting as a catalogue trainee, he served as vice chairman from 2000 to 2016, and served as auctioneer for the Collections of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, among many other roles.
His headline-grabbing sales included “Sue,” the most complete tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever recovered, and the manuscript of the Magna Carta now in the U.S. National Archives.
Inspired by his home on Storm King Mountain, Reden has served the organizations that protect and preserve the Hudson Valley’s legacy of landscape, nature and history, including chairing the boards of Scenic Hudson, Black Rock Forest and The Olana Partnership.
At Olana, he led the board in the development of the 2015 Strategic Landscape Design Plan that underpins the current transformation of the visitor experience. Redden is currently battling ALS, which has not prevented him from continuing his close interest in the Hudson Valley and from adding to his voluminous journals. The award recognizes Redden not only for his crucial role in building our national heritage, but also for the tremendous work he has done in service to the preservation and promotion of the Hudson Valley as a founding landscape of American art and identity.
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Krista Jones, founder and executive director of the not-forprofit organization Sparrow’s Nest was named this year’s New York State “Woman of Distinction” for the 41stSenate District, state Sen. Sue Serino announced.
“Krista embodies a kind, generous spirit that radiates throughout our community,” Serino said in a press release. “She has used her determination and generosity to drive the Sparrow’s Nest organization and in the process has been able to help countless families across the Hudson Valley grappling with a cancer diagnosis.
“Each and every day, but especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Krista has been an exceptional example of what it means to remain hopeful in a time of uncertainty. An inspiration to so many, I am honored to recognize her as this year’s Woman of Distinction from the 41st Senate District.”
Having lived in the Hudson Valley for more than two decades, Jones first made her mark in radio as a reporter on 100.1 WDST-FM in Woodstock and 1490 WKNY-AM in Kingston and later as the news director/ morning dhow co-host on 92.1 WRNQ-FM. According to her biography, it was after a close friend was diagnosed with colon cancer, that Jones sprung into action, delivering home-cooked meals to the family. From there, the idea for Sparrow’s Nest took flight. In 2013, the organization’s first year, it was able to feed 16 families. Today, the lo
cal non-profit serves 350 people per week and to date has served over 2,000 individuals.
Under Jones’ leadership, Sparrow’s Nest has received numerous awards, including the 2019 Falcon Award for Business Excellence in Dutchess County. Sparrow’s Nest was also the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley’s 2020 Red Shoe Award recipient for Non-Profit Partner of the Year.
The state Senate’s prestigious ‘ Women of Distinction’ event
celebrates women from across New York who contribute significantly to the quality of life of those within and beyond their communities. Typically, honorees from each Senate District come together at a special annual event in the State Capitol, where they have the opportunity to network with one another as they are recognized for their service and achievements. With visitors still not permitted at the Capitol, this year’s celebration has gone virtual.