Annual Benefit
Easthampton City Arts holds an annual benefit in early December. This festive celebration is our most important fundraising event of the year.
Gathering to Celebrate & Support Our Creative Community
Every year, our extended community comes together at ECA’s Annual Benefit to celebrate and support the arts in Easthampton. This yearly celebration includes a lineup of local entertainment, a Small Works group show, Silent and Live auctions, and an awards reception for both the Pioneer Valley Buzz Award and the Debra Tautznik Volunteer Award. It’s a vibrant and meaningful touchstone event to express our gratitude for our creative community, dedicated volunteers, and generous sponsors — while at the same time generating the necessary support to bring our mission and core values to life through our programs and events in the year to come.
ECA’s Volunteer Awards
Pioneer Valley Buzz Award – Established in 2011, the Pioneer Valley Buzz Award reflects and recognizes the individuals and organizations that have impacted the exciting cultural advancements throughout the Pioneer Valley. Past recipients have included, The Art Salon, Steve Baer, Kim Carlino, Paul Arslanian and the Green Street Trio, Jean-Pierre Pasche, Russell Braen and Alane Hartley, and Bronwen Hodgkinson. In 2018, Cassandra Holden and Kyle Homstead of Laudable Productions were presented with this award for their commendable efforts with their annual series, Mill Pond Live.
Debra Tautznik Volunteer Award – Established in 2011, and presented in honor of Debra Tautznik (1955-2015), a longstanding member of the ECA creative community, artist, dedicated volunteer, and advocate for the city. This award is given to those who have generously dedicated their time and energy to Easthampton City Arts initiatives. Past recipients of the award have included Tracey Eller, Elizabeth and Lennie Applequist, Eileen Corbeil, Susan Lapointe, Mayor Michael Tautznik, Jim Zarvis, and Gary and Kathy LaCroix. In 2018, this award was presented to Marcia Morrison, Chair of the Cottage Street Cultural District sub-committee, CitySpace Board Member, and long standing community member committed to the thriving culture of arts in Easthampton.
