by Bill Batson
On November 6, the Nyack Center’s Legacy Gala will honor three of my dearest friends, Kris and Tom Burns and Ray Wright. Each has been exceedingly generous with their time, talent and resources on behalf of the Nyack Center through the years. Let’s continue their legacy of hard work and generosity and purchase tickets for this hybrid event which includes a virtual gala in November and an in-person “afterparty” in May.
Unsurprisingly, each has appeared in Nyack News and Views over the Years. Please enjoy these links to discover some personal history and the myriad talents of these three special people.
Nyack Center Legacy Gala “To Go’ 2.0!
The party kicks off with our honorees, silent auction and live music. Guests will pick up a delicious boxed dinner, a signature cocktail and swag bag curbside at Nyack Center parking lot. You will get an email before the event with all the information you need and a link to join the celebration!
In Person “After Party” in May
In addition, the first 150 people to purchase tickets will get an additional ticket to an after party in May. Thanks to the creativity of one of our honorees, Kris Burns we will host an outdoor after party in May with live music and of course signature cocktails! So don’t delay and get your tickets right away!
Local Arts Index: Kris Burns, December 28, 2013
For over a century, our region has been home to extraordinary artists. Local Arts Index highlights the work of individuals who continue our community’s rich creative legacy. Meet multimedia artist Kris Burns.
Nasty Women Art Exhibit, January 12, 2017
Kris Burns, who is the owner of Festoon, and also an artist and activist, has taken up this battle cry. She is proud to be featuring local “nasty artists” in her store from the opening
Tom Burns Retires from Nyack High School: A Special Thank You, June 20, 2021
As I come to the end of my 31 year teaching career in the Nyack schools, I am filled with many emotions and so much gratitude. There are many people I could thank for inspiring and sustaining me through these many years. So many, in fact, that I am very purposefully avoiding naming any individuals out of fear of leaving someone out. Actually, that’s not true. There is one individual I want to take this opportunity to single out. Unfortunately, I don’t know this person’s name. Let me explain.
Nyack Sketch Log: Wright Bros. Realty, May 1, 2012
When Ray Wright was selling real estate, he would tell people trying to find his office to look for the prettiest house in Nyack. When those prospective buyers arrived at Wright Bros. Real Estate on the corner of Depew Avenue and South Broadway, they were relieved that their broker was as honest as he was bold. This stunning example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture, that was the basis of Wright’s boast, stands as a symbol to the longest continually operating real estate company in Rockland County.
Local Arts Index: Ray Wright, September 19, 2015
After graduating from Syracuse University in 1962, I joined the family business, Wright Bros. Real Estate. In addition to many other responsibilites, I became the firm’s staff photographer. I found that a wide-angle lens was the perfect tool to capture the architectural details of the properties we were listing.
Nyack Sketch Log: Lake DeForest, Where Eagles Have Landed, May 21, 2019
This week, Nyack Sketch Loghas its first guest writer in our 8 year history. I have lent this space to my friend Ray Wright, a passionate naturalist, who wants to put his opposition to a proposal by the Suez Water Company to build a new headquarters near Lake DeForest on the record.
This Nyack Sketch Log was submitted as testimony at a public hearing at Clarkstown Town Hall on Wed May 22, 2019
Buy Your Tickets Today
Click here to purchase tickets to the Nyack Center Legacy Gala, to honor Kris, Tom and Ray and the work of the Nyack Center
An artist, writer and activist, Bill Batson is a candidate for the 97th Assembly District. Nyack Sketch Log: “Nyack Center Honors Kris and Tom Burns & Ray Wright” © 2021 Bill Batson. Visit billbatsonarts.com to see more.
