For Lucy Tower Funke ’56,
working with artists of all ages and disciplines is the inspiration
for her lifelong commitment to the arts. As foundation director
for the Sam and Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts, Inc. located
in New Berlin, NY. Lucy is always finding new ways to support
the artist. “I admire the creative mind,” she
says. “We award grants to visual artists working in paint
who demonstrate exceptional creative ability”
In an effort to
expand the foundation’s support for artists, Lucy recently
wrote a proposal to the New York State Artist Work Space Consortium. She
requested funding to establish a pilot program with Golden Artist Colors to facilitate
an artist residency program. This unique partnership would provide resident
artists with freedom for artistic experimentation with the highly technical staff
available at the Golden Artist Colors paint factory. The Golden Foundation
was one of four selected in New York State.
Before Lucy worked for the foundation, she
was the executive director of the Chenango County Council
of the Arts in Norwich, NY for nearly 20 years. She helped the
council grow from one person to a viable cultural organization with a professional
gallery and performing arts theater. “At St. Lawrence,
I learned I was able to step up to a challenge. I saw this as
a challenge.” Recently Lucy was recognized with an award for
Distinguished Service in Advancing Cultural Development in New York State.
Lucy is “thrilled and ecstatic about the arts renovations
and expansions taking place at St. Lawrence. (She’s
updated regularly through her work with the Alumni Executive Council.) “Having
a strong arts program for all disciplines is a necessity at a great
liberal arts college,” she says. “The talented faculty
at St. Lawrence bring excitement to the arts program and serve as an
inspiration for our student artists. With the new renovations
taking place, students will have a chance to explore new ideas and
opportunities. The groundwork for a strong arts program
at St. Lawrence has been carefully planned to nurture and foster the
creative mind.”
