32 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • JULY 22, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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Socrates Sculpture Park welcomes interim leader
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Socrates Sculpture Park has a new leader
— for now.
Suzy Delvalle has been named interim
executive director, taking over for
John Hatfi eld, who held the post for
nearly a decade before he stepped down
in October 2020. A search for the new
director is ongoing.
Th e artist oasis on Vernon Boulevard
was created by a coalition of artists and
community members who transformed
an East River landfi ll and illegal dumpsite
into an open studio and exhibition
space in 1986.
“John Hatfi eld has grown the organization
in innumerable ways during his nine
years here, including doubling the operating
budget and staff size, and ushering in
new exhibitions that have garnered critical
acclaim,” Delvalle said. “I look forward
to working with Socrates’ rich family
of artists, staff and collaborators, as
well as the surrounding community.”
Delvalle most recently served as president
and executive director of Creative
Capital, a national nonprofi t organization
that supports innovative and adventurous
artists across the country through funding,
counsel, gatherings and career development
services. She is known as a “fi erce
advocate for art and artists.”
With more than 20 years
of leadership experience
in the cultural sector,
Devalle has committed
her career to enhancing
the impact of missionbased
organizations
and building opportunity
and equity
in the arts.
“The
board is excited that Suzy is serving as
interim director during this important
time for the organization,” Socrates Board
Secretary and Treasurer Ivana Mestrovic
said. “Suzy brings a wealth of experience
working with artists and communities,
and we have the utmost faith in her
ability to lead Socrates as we continue to
search for a permanent executive director.”
As the second director in Creative
Capital’s history, Delvalle oversaw some
of the most dramatic changes in the organization’s
two-decade history. Under her
leadership, Creative Capital increased its
annual budget by 20 percent and further
developed the board with 12 new
active members while also establishing
a National Advisory Council. She also
expanded services to artists by instituting
annual Creative Capital Awards and
retreats.
“Suzy has been a valued colleague in the
fi eld for many years, and I am thrilled to
hand the reins over to her,” Hatfi eld said.
“I am immensely proud of the organization’s
progress over the last nine years
and all that the board, staff and I have
accomplished together.”
Hatfi eld will join the NYU faculty in
September to teach a course for their
graduate program in Museum Studies.
While exploring other pursuits, he will
continue to serve in an advisory capacity
on the Socrates’ capital project to
build a permanent structure in the 5-acre
park, which is on the ancestral land of
the Lenape, Canarsie and Matinecock
peoples.
Photo courtesy of Socrates Sculpture Park
John Hatfi eld stepped down as
executive director at
Socrates Sculpture
Park and handed
the reins over to
Suzy Delvalle
as the search
continues for
a permanent
leader.
Local organization holds annual police and fi refi ghters awards dinner
BY PAUL JUNIOR PRUDENT
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Th e Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis
Club annual police and fi refi ghters
awards dinner honored several local
police offi cers and fi refi ghters who
exceeded the requirements expected of
their position.
First Central Savings Bank (FCSB)
announced last week the Kiwanis Club
of Astoria/Long Island City held its
annual police and fi refi ghters awards
dinner in Astoria. FCSB returned as
sponsor of the event for another year.
FCSB Executive Vice President Chief
Administrative Offi cer Michael Serao
said the safety and work fi rst responders
provide oft en goes unnoticed.
“I am always honored to be here and
recognize individuals who do all they
can to protect and keep us safe,” Serao
said.
During the event, Serao was joined by
Ara Yegoryan, regional operations manager
for FCSB, and Nicholas Tavantzis,
FCSB vice president and regional
lending manager.
Yegoryan is also a member of the
Astoria/LIC Kiwanis club and a past
recipient of the Astoria/Long Island City
Kiwanis Community Leadership Award.
He said the offi cers and fi refi ghters
awarded have served this community for
as long as he “can remember.”
“Th ese men and women are all-around
great people that continue to provide
service to this community,” he said.
Photos courtesy of FCSB
The Astoria/LIC Kiwanis Club recognized police and fi refi ghters at their annual ceremony.
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