Hyde Collection (2021)
Guests of Honor Tom and Sally Hoy with Gala Co-chairs Jim Paratore and Charlene Wood
The Hyde Collection, the art museum of Glens Falls, returned to its annual fundraising gala on Saturday Sept. 25, and honored Tom and Sally Hoy, long time volunteers. The pandemic stopped the gala last year, and as with many arts institutions, threatened the Hyde Collection's very existence.
"Last year we pivoted to an online virtual auction that was a significantly lower yield," said John Lefner, the museum's chief development officer.
"We're still crunching the math,” he said in an interview today, but said about 200 guests came, and "We grossed about $250,000.”
The museum on Warren Street went into the year not anticipating hosting another gala but watched as the COVID infections improved. He said the organization followed state and county guidelines. About six months ago "the potential for hosting the gala became much more positive."
They expected a couple dozen people to step forward and volunteer, but 87 members helped, he said, adding, "Our loyal, faithful Hyde supporters showed up for us."
The volunteers leading the sponsorship efforts were Tom and Sally Hoy. The Hoys became the special guests of the evening.
"It's not easy to run a world-class museum in a small town,” Tom Hoy told the crowd, gathered under a tent on the museum’s front lawn. “It wasn't easy when the Wood family stepped up and we all worked together in the ‘80s to build the educational wing."
He said it was no easier now, given the pandemic’s effect on the economy and the fact that it closed the museum for many months. He thanked the museum’s board and leadership for getting the museum safely through.
"It's our responsibility to make sure it's here 50 years from now. So sign checks,” he said to cheers and laughter.
Tom Hoy is chair of Arrow Financial Corp., the parent company of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and the Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. Sally Hoy has been an active volunteer in the museum.
Chelsea Silver, the chair of the museum’s board, told the crowd that the museum is focusing more on equity, diversity and inclusion.
"We are not and will not be an elitist institution,” Silver said. She said that the institution has always been welcoming but the task at hand is to continue to prove it, "to show our communities why the arts matter."
To that end, the money raised will support the operations and a capital campaign to fund “three pillars” of the community, Lefner said: finishing this fiscal year in strength; supporting the 2022 exhibition schedule; and supporting the “Reimagine” project, a series of enhancements both indoors and out.
“They [the donors] really came through,” Lefner said.
The Charles R. Wood Foundation gave $100,000. The Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family Foudation gave $25,000, and another $50,000 came from an anonymous donor.
Raise the Paddle, an auction during the event, raised over $100,000.
"People were happy,” Lefner said, a reaction to being under a tent on a nice early fall evening. “I think that's the biggest takeaway from Saturday night."
The theme was a 70s throwback.