On Thursday, WAMC Northeast Public Radio announced the appointment of Lizzie Honan as its new Chief Development Officer.

Honan has 18 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and leadership. Her fundraising work has benefited institutions across New York, including the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, RevJen Group, Edible Schoolyard NYC and Madison Square Park Conservancy, according to a press release.

Honan helped the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall raise $16.5 million toward a $17.5 million capital campaign. At Edible Schoolyard NYC, Honan helped double the contributed revenue. and she helped increase Madison Square Park Conservancy’s annual budget from under $1 million to over $4 million, according to a press release.

“WAMC’s commitment to independent journalism and community connection is more vital than ever,” Honan said in a press release. “I’m honored to join this brilliant and passionate team along with the loyal listener base. Fundraising is truly a team effort, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues at WAMC to strengthen relationships, build partnerships, and keep public media thriving.”

In 2021, Honan was named in City & State and New York Nonprofit Media’s 40 Under 40 list.

Honan graduated from Brooklyn College, and in 2024, she graduated from the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Institute.

“Lizzie is joining WAMC at an exciting and important time,” said Sarah Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer of WAMC in a press release. “She has a proven track record of strengthening fundraising programs and building strong relationships with donors and community partners. Her energy, creativity, and leadership will be a huge asset to WAMC as we grow our impact and reach.”

An sculpture by John Van Alstine, who will be one of the artists taking part in the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network’s Art Trails event on Aug. 16-17.

The map for the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's Art Trails event is shown.

The map for the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's Art Trails event is shown.

An oil painting by Marion Kratky, who will be one of the artists taking part in the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's Art Trails event on Aug. 16-17.

An painting by Alexandra Higgins, who will be one of the artists taking part in the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's Art Trails event on Aug. 16-17.

An photograph by Sandra Peters, who will be one of the artists taking part in the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's Art Trails event on Aug. 16-17.

A sculpture by Caroline Ramersdorfer, who will be one of the artists taking part in the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network’s Art Trails event on Aug. 16-17.

An stained glass piece by Carolyn Wilcox, who will be one of the artists taking part in the 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's Art Trails event on Aug. 16-17.

The 10th annual Sacandaga Valley Arts Network Art Trails event is scheduled for Aug. 16 and 17.

The two-day event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

This self-guided tour invites art lovers and curious minds alike to “take the creative route” through the region’s arts scene. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to step inside local artists’ studios and galleries for a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process—from inspiration to completion.

“Event planning starts the year before when we gather the sign-in sheets from all of the artists. From the sheets we can determine the number of visitors, where they are from, and how they heard about Art Trails,” said SVAN Art Trails coordinator Carolyn Wilcox, whose workspace also will be part of the tour. “This information also helps us to prepare the grant application for Saratoga Arts. We usually put the call out to artists around the January timeframe, and graphic design artist Linda Hinkle starts putting the brochure and map together by the beginning of May. We want to ensure every artist is highlighted in a way that best reflects their art; so we prepare short biographies and photos which are added to the Facebook event page and can be shared from there. Because we have a lot of returning artists to the trail every year, keeping that information updated is important. Ensuring the advertising gets done to include distributing the brochures is a big part of execution. SVAN is a completely volunteer organization so all of the work gets done by volunteers. This doesn’t take into account the work each individual artist does to prepare for this event. Opening up studios and workshops to the public is a big deal.”

Those participating in the tour can expect to meet and engage with painters, sculptors, photographers, glass artists, fine crafters, woodworkers and weavers, all ready to demonstrate their techniques and share their artistic journeys, according to a news release.

Many artworks will be available for purchase, making this a good chance to support local artists and collect original, handmade pieces.

This year’s art trails will begin with a special 10th anniversary event on Friday, Aug. 15.

In celebration of this milestone year, renowned sculptor John Van Alstine (#1 on the Art Trails Map) will give a special talk about his artistic process and career, followed by a book signing of his newest publication, “American Monuments: Finding New Dimensions.” The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Northville Public Library. Registration is required for this event.

“Number one and two on the map is a sculpture park that is only open to the public during Art Trails. John Van Alstine and Caroline Ramersdorfer will be there to give tours of the grounds and their workshops. Master Weaver, Arlene Rambush typically has her loom set up to demonstrate her skill. Dan Bridge also sets a loom up on the porch of the SVAN Gallery in Northville. Mike Kratky usually has his lathe running to show off his woodturning skills. I will have the step-by-step process set up on how I create stained glass window ornaments using the copper-foil method,” Wilcox said. “We have two new artists on the trail this year and each will be demonstrating their art. Amanda Lane received a grant from Saratoga Arts that enabled her to expand her........

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