Howland Cultural Center expands and diversifies Board
The Howland Cultural Center, aka the “Jewel of Beacon,” at 477 Main Street.
This week, the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. The appointments increase the Board size to 11 members, and the move comes ahead of the non-profit’s plans to launch a major capital improvement project to restore the building’s historic portico. The restoration is slated to begin in spring 2025.
The Howland Center—often referred to as the “Jewel of Beacon”—hosted an incredible 425+ events in 2024, featuring a wide range of community-centered performances, rotating art gallery exhibits, screenings, and special productions as well as regular monthly events and classes. Programming highlights included the Howland Chamber Music Circle, Artichoke Storytelling Series, Nerd Night Hudson Valley, Howland’s Open Mic Night, LIT LIT Open Mic for Writers, annual Holiday Gift Show/Sale, history lectures, and special children’s and family-friendly programming.
Its classes and clubs included Kadampa Meditation, The Bridge Club, Tioronda Garden Club, kids after-school art, Mid-Hudson Music Together, creative writing, music and financial literacy workshops, in addition to private events.
Theresa Kraft, Board President shared her thoughts on the appointments: “The Board is pleased to welcome this outstanding group of new members. Each one brings a unique background that will contribute to the Howland Center’s mission of preserving our historic building and thriving as a community hub for arts, culture, and history. We are excited to expand and diversify our Board as the Howland Center continues to broaden our program offerings and develop a future strategic plan.”
New members
Former two-term councilperson, Terry Nelson, has a career in film and television and founded the Beacon Independent Film Festival in 2013, which ran until 2019. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his first novel, titled How Did I Get Here.
Lena S. Rizkallah is a speaker and storyteller with more than 25 years in the financial services industry. She was Voted Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley by Chronogram Magazine in 2023. She produces the annual Women in Business Busting Barriers panel and co-hosts a monthly Money Speakeasy for women.
Brandy Burre is a professional actor and educator at The Foundry Montessori and the Tioronda Learning Center. Originally from Ohio, Brandy holds both a BFA and an MFA in Acting. Brandy had a recurring role in HBO’s *The Wire* and recently guest-starred on CBS’s Bull. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, she has been part of the Beacon community since 2007.
Elizabeth A. Barrett served as the Vice President of Communications & Marketing at the West Point Association of Graduates. A long-time Beacon resident, Barrett has renovated and managed commercial and residential properties in the city and completed marketing projects locally for Tallix Art Foundry, Manitoga, Clearwater, and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic.
You can support the Howland Cultural Center’s 2025 Annual Appeal by joining (or renewing) as a Friend here. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, contact information@howlandculturalcenter.org.