May 2015 - Red Hook Education Foundation

Announcing The Professor Jacob Grossberg Studio Art Award

Beloved Bard Professor Jacob Grossberg, who worked at the college from 1969 through 1998, recently passed away and his wife, Di Baldwin has decided to honor his memory with two awards – one for a graduating Bard student and another for a deserving Red Hook High School senior who will be entering an institution of higher learning to study studio arts. “Jake” adored working with high school students and up until the time of his death was actively mentoring and helping them develop portfolios for college applications. In his memory, Di Baldwin, decided to donate $5,000 to the Red Hook Education Foundation to create The Professor Jacob Grossberg Studio Art Award. Every year for at least the next 10 years, the faculty of the Red Hook High School art department will nominate one student to receive a $500 award.

It is the hope of Di Baldwin that other people who knew Jake will also contribute to this fund so that the award can continue to be awarded beyond the initial ten year period. If anyone would like to help support the The Professor Jacob Grossberg Studio Art Award, please contact RHEF board member Amy Husten at Amy.Husten@redhookeducationfoundation.com

Linden Avenue Middle School Guitar Club Gets New Instruments

RHEF recently funded the purchase of new guitars for the popular middle school guitar club. Over the last 10 years the club has grown to have up to 20 regular participating members, but many do not have guitars of their own to practice on. The new guitars will be used from year to year by kids that are interested in playing but are not in a position to purchase one of their own.

Club advisor Rob Kaplan says that “in this era of over-testing the creativity of music and hobby of playing guitar can help inspire the excellence of our students!”