Autumn Luminary: An Artmaking Fundraiser to Support WSW
Sunday, October 18th, 4PM – Sundown
722 Binnewater Lane, Kingston, NY, 12401
Join us for the Autumn Luminary: an art making event and fundraiser in support of Women’s Studio Workshop. As we move towards the darker days of winter, we invite you to gather in community, and decorate a lantern with us to illuminate the way forward and support artists.
This year we aim to shine a light on the enduring and trailblazing work of Sara Pasti, Kingston Ward 1 Councilwoman, former Director of the Samuel Dorsky Museum and Vice Chair of the Ulster County Arts & Culture Advisory Council.
Please Join us in honoring her with a celebratory evening of gourmet food, wine, silent auction, artmaking, and more!
You may purchase a single Attendee Ticket for $110, or sponsor a seat for a community member by purchasing an Illuminator Ticket for $220. Details below.
Can’t make it? Consider making a donation today to support our mission.
ATTENDEE: $110
Join us at 4PM for an engaging evening of artmaking! Enjoy passed food and wine, a raffle draw, and end the night with a lantern lighting ceremony as a community!
ILLUMINATOR: $220
Make the night magical for a neighbor by sponsoring a seat! Your generosity covers the cost of attending for a local emerging artist, student, or community member, plus covers general admission for yourself. You’ll receive acknowledgement on signage at the event.
ABOUT THE HONOREE
Sara Pasti is an arts leader, consultant, and elected official with more than four decades of experience advancing arts, culture, and community development. Her expertise includes nonprofit start-ups, organizational leadership, capital projects, fundraising, and guiding institutions through periods of growth and transition. She has launched nonprofit organizations and major initiatives, led capital campaigns and facility renovations, and served in executive leadership roles across the arts sector.
Sara’s career began in Brooklyn, where she lived as an artist while working with organizations including the Public Art Fund and Socrates Sculpture Park. She was a founding member of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition and directed the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Visual Arts Initiative. She later served as Managing Director of the Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance in Seattle and Director of Curatorial Affairs at the University of Washington’s Henry Art Gallery. From 2002 to 2020, Sara lived in Beacon, New York, where she was a founding board member and president of the Beacon Arts Community Association, chaired the city’s Comprehensive Planning process, and served on the Beacon City Council from 2008 to 2013.
From 2009 to 2019, Sara was the Neil C. Trager Director of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz. Since returning to consulting, she has worked with museums and cultural organizations throughout New York State and beyond, including Women’s Studio Workshop. From 2024 to 2025, she served as Project Administrator for IMAGINE Ulster: Ulster County’s Arts & Culture Master Plan and now serves as Vice Chair of the Ulster County Arts & Culture Advisory Council.
Now based in the City of Kingston, Sara is a member of the Kingston Common Council and serves as the Council liaison to the Kingston Arts Commission.
Supporting the Fall Fundraiser
WSW’s events would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors! A huge thank you to our fiscal year event sponsors: Rich & Bander LLP, Ryan and Ryan Insurance Brokers, and Ulster Savings Bank.
