By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Hudson – Through the years, the Hudson Area Arts Alliance has introduced and sustained many vibrant cultural and artistic activities and has grown to serve over 22,000 people of all ages in more than 30 communities. The group's programs include the Pro Musica Youth Chorus, Summer Drama Workshop, River's Edge Players, Arts in the Park, Saturday Morning Discovery Series and many others.
The organization continues to integrate the arts into everyday community life, as well as helping arts education thrive through collaborations with schools, art organizations and artists. Its programs also help in bringing diverse people together.
Founding Executive Director of the Arts Alliance Jan Patterson will retire from the position she has held for more than 20 years, but will continue to give support and assistance to the local arts community.
Patterson moved to Hudson 30 years ago and almost immediately became involved in the town by directing choral groups, giving piano lessons and playing the organ at church. As a parent, she was very active in the School Cultural Committee, whose primary goal was to bring diverse artists to schools across the district. She helped to organize and find funding for cultural programs in Hudson schools. A group of dedicated parents, working with Patterson, formed the Hudson Schools Cultural Committee, which brought their vision to a broader community level. Through their efforts, the Arts Alliance was formalized and became a nonprofit organization in 1990.
Those serving on the organizing board of directors includes Christine Alexander, Sarah Cressy, Margery Goldstein, Leslie Perlmutter and representatives of Hudson Public Schools and Hudson National Bank (now Citizens Bank).
Michelle Mercier, president of the present Arts Alliance Board of Directors is thankful for Patterson's many contributions.
“Jan's accomplishments as executive director are extraordinary,” she said. “This organization and community would not be where it is today without her unwavering dedication and commitment. Jan has definitely been an inspiration to us all. Her level of commitment to the community is absolutely amazing, and her passion and love of the arts are inspiring.”
Patterson acknowledged that she has benefited from her arts involvement.
“I have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with many wonderful people including board and staff members, artists and teachers, school and community leaders, local and state government officials, Arts Alliance members, volunteers, people in businesses, organizations, foundations and cultural councils,” she said. “I'se gained tremendous enjoyment and satisfaction from my community arts career. A job that I never expected became a big part of my life, combining my passion for the arts, education through the arts, and the community.”
“It is my hope that Arts Alliance will ensure the vitality of the arts in the area for many years to come,” Patterson added.
In 1997 the Massachusetts Cultural Council presented the prestigious Commonwealth Award, the state's highest honor in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, to the Arts Alliance. It is presented every two years to honor individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the quality of life, education and economy in Massachusetts through arts and culture.
The board has launched a search for Patterson's successor and is hoping to have the individual in place by beginning to mid November.
“Jan has quite a bit of knowledge to transfer and we want to be sure she has time to work closely with the incoming Executive Director,” Mercier said. “She will officially retire December 31st but will stay on as Director of Pro Musica Youth Chorus, one of the many great programs that Jan created.”