AVA in the News, Awards
Since 2007, when AVA finally reopened the doors to its newly renovated 11 Bank Street building, the awards have been coming in:
June 2008. Our renovation receives a Plan-NH Merit Award for Excellence in Planning, Design and Development.
November 2008. Our renovation is awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold-Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
December 2008. The American Institute of Architects – VT Chapter, gives Banwell Architects of Lebanon, NH a Citation Award for Excellence in Design in the Historic/Preservation/Restoration category for the AVA project.
September 2009. The project’s construction company, Trumbull-Nelson of Hanover, NH, receives an Award for Excellence in Construction from the NH and VT Associated Builders and Contractors.
October 2010, AVA is one of six organizations nationwide to receive a MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Award based upon the merits of the renovation.
AVA in the News, Awards
Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) and MetLife Foundation recently announced that AVA Gallery and Art Center (AVA/Alliance for the Visual Arts) in Lebanon, NH is one of six winners of a 2010 MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Award. This highly competitive national award recognizes outstanding efforts in the design and development of affordable space for artists, an integral part of LINC’s Space for Change: Building Communities through Innovative Art Spaces program. “The winning organizations,” states a press release issued by LINC and MetLife, “provide a firm base from which artists may pursue their work while simultaneously contributing to shaping vibrant, healthy communities.” The six winning projects were selected from nearly 100 applicants from 37 states. “The MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Awards acknowledge best practices in the field of artist space development,” said Dennis White, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “We are proud to partner with LINC to recognize outstanding programs and the important role that art plays in our communities.”
“Artists need affordable and appropriate work spaces to create new work. The recipients of the 2010 MetLife Innovative Space Awards address this challenge in diverse ways, offering solutions that foster creativity, spark neighborhood revitalization and invest in community,” said Judilee Reed, Executive Director of LINC.
The Grand Prize of $50,000 went to Side Street Project in Pasadena, CA. The five Honorable Mention recipients, including AVA Gallery and Art Center, each received a $10,000 unrestricted cash award. The other winning organizations are located in Boston, MA; Kona-Big Island, HI; Houston, TX; and Seattle, WA.
AVA Gallery and Art Center’s 2006-2007 renovation of its 11 Bank Street facility – formerly known as the H.W. Carter Overall Factory—was recognized for its variety of spaces, including four exhibition galleries, seven teaching studios, a sculpture garden, and 21 individual artists’ studios that together embody the creative, multi-faceted and community-oriented spirit of AVA. The sustainable strategies that were implemented as part of the renovation project, which resulted in LEED Gold-Certification, were also recognized.
AVA’s original application was submitted in April 2010; in June, AVA was selected as one of 15 finalists. The finalist status required additional follow-up, including demographic information about the local community; the “green” initiatives that were undertaken in the development of AVA’s spaces; notable building features; and the experience of using the building as an artist, as a community member, and as a staff member. In July, LINC’s Program Manager, Risё Wilson, came from New York City on a site visit to learn more about AVA. A highlight of the visit was a two-hour meeting with some 30 participants, including founding members of AVA, artists with studios in the building, board members, staff, community members, interns, key players in the renovation project, city councilors, as well as a Lebanon resident who worked in the building for more than 30 years when it was a clothing factory. All contributed invaluable perspectives on the impact that AVA and its innovative art spaces, have had, and continue to have, on the community.
AVA in the News, Building
“The MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Awards acknowledge best practices in the field of artist space development,” said Dennis White, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “We are proud to partner with LINC to recognize outstanding programs and the important role that art plays in our communities.”
“Artists need affordable and appropriate work spaces to create new work. The recipients of the 2010 MetLife Innovative Space Awards address this challenge in diverse ways, offering solutions that foster creativity, spark neighborhood revitalization and invest in community,” said Judilee Reed, Executive Director of LINC.
The Grand Prize of $50,000 went to Side Street Project in Pasadena, CA. The five Honorable Mention recipients, including AVA Gallery and Art Center, each received a $10,000 unrestricted cash award. The other winning organizations are located in Boston, MA; Kona-Big Island, HI; Houston, TX; and Seattle, WA.
AVA Gallery and Art Center’s 2006-2007 renovation of its 11 Bank Street facility –formerly known as the H.W. Carter Overall Factory—was recognized for its variety of spaces, including four exhibition galleries, seven teaching studios, a sculpture garden, and 21 individual artists’ studios that together embody the creative, multi-faceted and community-oriented spirit of AVA. The sustainable strategies that were implemented as part of the renovation project, which resulted in LEED Gold-Certification, were also recognized.
AVA’s original application was submitted in April 2010; in June, AVA was selected as one of 15 finalists. The finalist status required additional follow-up, including demographic information about the local community; the “green” initiatives that were undertaken in the development of AVA’s spaces; notable building features; and the experience of using the building as an artist, as a community member, and as a staff member. In July, LINC’s Program Manager, Risё Wilson, came from New York City on a site visit to learn more about AVA. A high-light of the visit was a two-hour meeting with some 30 participants, including founding members of AVA, artists with studios in the building, board members, staff, community members, interns, key players in the renovation project, city councilors, as well as a Lebanon resident who worked in the building for more than 30 years when it was a clothing factory. All contributed invaluable perspectives on the impact that AVA and its innovative art spaces, have had, and continue to have, on the community.
For more information about the Innovative Space Award and the six winning organizations, visit www.lincnet.net .
Building
The wall features 526 plaques, listing the names of all those who made AVA’s $4.5 million capital campaign for the building renovations succeed, including the names of 188 artists who created artworks for the benefit of this campaign. These works of art were created for the Building Blocks exhibition in September 2003, which coincided with the acquisition of the 11 Bank Street building, and the Waste to Art Exhibition in October 2007, which celebrated the completion of this amazing renovation project.
The May 23 event was also a celebration of all the remarkable volunteers who give so generously of their time and knowledge for the benefit of AVA and all that our organization is about.
During a sunny afternoon, more than 100 people gathered to look at the wall, to participate in building tours, to listen to music by “Green Room,” to enjoy four exquisite exhibitions, to savor delicious refreshment, and to listen to former AVA Chairs, Preston Kelsey and Linda Roesch, as well as AVA’s present Chair, Paulette Werger, and Executive Director, Bente Torjusen, giving thanks to all who made the renovation possible.
The Donor Wall installation was made possible by a gift from Linda and Rick Roesch.
Click Here to Download the Introduction given by AVA Gallery and Art Center’s Executive Director, Bente Torjusen, to the Donor Wall Inauguration and Celebration on Sunday, May 23, 2010.
Some More Pictures from the Event!
Building
The wall features 526 plaques, listing the names of all those who made AVA’s $4.5 million capital campaign for the building renovations succeed, including the names of 188 artists who created artworks for the benefit of this campaign. These works of art were created for the Building Blocks exhibition in September 2003, which coincided with the acquisition of the 11 Bank Street building, and the Waste to Art Exhibition in October 2007, which celebrated the completion of this amazing renovation project.
The May 23 event was also a celebration of all the remarkable volunteers who give so generously of their time and knowledge for the benefit of AVA and all that our organization is about.
During a sunny afternoon, more than 100 people gathered to look at the wall, to participate in building tours, to listen to music by "Green Room," to enjoy four exquisite exhibitions, to savor delicious refreshment, and to listen to former AVA Chairs, Preston Kelsey and Linda Roesch, as well as AVA’s present Chair, Paulette Werger, and Executive Director, Bente Torjusen, giving thanks to all who made the renovation possible.
The Donor Wall installation was made possible by a gift from Linda and Rick Roesch.
Click Here to Download the Introduction given by AVA Gallery and Art Center’s Executive Director, Bente Torjusen, to the Donor Wall Inauguration and Celebration on Sunday, May 23, 2010.
Some More Pictures from the Event!
Building
Teaching Studios
We will soon have pictures and histories of all our fabulous teaching studios here!
