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Dutchess Stadium sculpture launches art program to aid nonprofit group
A new public art project will help people with developmental disabilities.
As staff at Dutchess Stadium prepared for opening night, representatives from Abilities First, a Town of Poughkeepsie-based non-profit, unveiled a new sculpture that will take a permanent place at the stadium.
The roughly four-feet by four-feet fiberglass maple leaf is painted on one side with a picture of a smiling family decked in Renegades gear, and a team mascot in the background. The other side shows a baseball player in action, diving to catch a ball in his mitt.
Abilities First is asking local businesses to sponsor the leaves, which are then decorated by a local artist. The leaves are displayed temporarily on the business' property until the project is complete, when 30 leaves are sponsored, said Michael Flynn, board president for the organization.
Then, many of the leaves will be sold at an auction. The artists receive a stipend and a portion of the sale. The remaining proceeds go to benefit the Abilities First endowment fund, he said.
Renegades General manager Eben Yager said the organization paid to keep their leaf permanently.
Read Tuesday's Journal for the full story.