MORE INTERVIEWS
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Jennifer Cook is an award-winning author of seven bestselling books which have been translated into six languages. Autism in Heels is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller WINNER for “Top Autism Books of All Time.” Jennifer's other titles include her Asperkids series (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) and Sisterhood of the Spectrum (Jessica Kingsley Publishers).
At the age of thirty-five, Jennifer Cook (then O’Toole) was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (autism) just after her three young children had been similarly identified. She is a sought-after keynote speaker at large events, including the Autism Society of America’s National Conference, the USAAA World Conference, and many more. She has spoken frequently alongside her colleagues (and close friends) Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Tony Attwood. She sits on the Autism Society of America’s Panel of People on the Spectrum, and she is a columnist/expert panelist for Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls at the Party. |
Photo Credit: Bonnie Auchincloss
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Bettina “Poet Gold” Wilkerson is a poet, author, performer, songwriter, community “Artivist” and speaker who is pushing the boundaries of poetry and the spoken word. Appointed the 2017 and 2018 NYS Dutchess County Poet Laureate, Poet Gold is the recipient of numerous awards. With countless recitations, she has opened for Grammy-nominated artists and has spoken at renowned organizations, such as Omega Institute and Self Employment in the Arts. Currently, she is the co-host for the iHeart Radio podcast “Finding Out with Pete and The Poet Gold.” Her distinct voice will be heard, playing the role of God, in the upcoming animated short film “The Creation,” poem by James Weldon Johnson, directed by award-winning animated filmmaker, Steve Leeper.
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Photo Credit: Franco Vogt
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Lorraine Salmon is the author of What’s Better Than This?, her first memoir which reached the #1 spot on Amazon.com in the “New Dramas and Plays by Women” category shortly after its release in December 2018. This romantic memoir spans her 14-month love affair that quickly blooms into a pivotal and meaningful mid-life romance before turning into a last-wishes-before-dying story. Her journey confronts readers with the questions that arise when we look death squarely in the eye. She currently lives in Glasco, NY where she enjoys her river view and finds much inspiration for her writing projects. She is working on her second memoir.
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Photo Credit: Lou Patenaude
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Diane Dewey is the author of Fixing the Fates: An Adoptee's Story of Truth and Lies. She holds a BA from Villanova University, the Honors Program in Liberal Arts. She later completed a certificate program from The Art Institute of Philadelphia, working for the Solomon. R. Guggenheim Museum and the National Academy, before founding her own art appraisal firm. Diane earned a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2015. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida and near Schaffhausen, Switzerland with her husband and their rescue dog. Fixing the Fates is her first book.
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Tarryl Gabel was born and raised on a cattle ranch on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. She has lived the last 32 years in the beautiful Hudson Valley Region of New York. Tarryl has been voted by readers of Hudson Valley Magazine as “Best Artist” in their annual “Best of the Hudson Valley” five times to date. She has won awards nationally and regionally, including Paint the Parks and Paint America Top 100. Most recently, at Plein Air Easton, her painting was given the award titled “Worthy of the Met” by David Levy. Tarryl was also chosen to paint an ornament for the 2007 White House Christmas tree.
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Jean Newburg is a sculptor and painter who worked for decades as founding CEO of Weston United, a nonprofit organization providing housing and services for homeless individuals with mental illness and other behavioral disorders. Jean has been studying and making art since the 1970s concurrently with pursuing a career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. After retiring in 2016, Jean began painting and sculpting full-time. She is currently studying sculpture with Rhoda Sherbell at the Art Students League of New York. She is also studying watercolor at the Woodstock School of Art, and, in 2017, started experimenting with abstraction and pastel landscapes. Jean has exhibited in galleries in New York City and the Hudson Valley region of New York. She is a member of the National Association of Women Artists.
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Amy Gravino, M.A., is a Certified Autism Specialist and international speaker. As the founder and President of A.S.C.O.T Consulting, Amy offers autism consulting and college coaching services for individuals on the autism spectrum, mentoring services for young adults with autism, and professional presentations for conferences, autism events, schools and professional development workshops. Amy has given two TED Talks and has spoken twice at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day (2011 and 2018). Amy is now authoring The Naughty Autie, a memoir of her experiences with dating, relationships, and sexuality from the firsthand perspective of a woman on the autism spectrum.
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Amina Figarova is an internationally-known jazz pianist and composer who was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. For decades, she has played with musicians from across Europe and the U.S. The Amina Figarova Sextet (which includes flutist, Bart Platteau, Amina’s partner and husband of 27 years) has triumphed at the main stage of the Newport Jazz Festival. The sextet has been invited repeatedly to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and has won critical and popular acclaim in Chicago, Detroit, Paris, Amsterdam and New York. With the release of Road to the Sun, Amina Figarova (a Sanctuary 2016 featured artist) celebrates the 20th anniversary of her band.
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2018
Photo Credit: Diane Baldwin
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Susan L. Marquis is dean of the Pardee RAND Graduate School and is RAND’s vice president for innovation. Prior to joining RAND, she served in leadership positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Navy as well as in a nonprofit government consulting firm. Her new book is I Am Not A Tractor! How Florida Farmworkers Took On the Fast Food Giants and Won (ILR Press, December 2017). She is also the author of Unconventional Warfare: Rebuilding U.S. Special Operations Forces (1997). Find an excerpt from I Am Not a Tractor! HERE.
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Photo Credit: Anne de Carbuccia
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Anne de Carbuccia is a French-American environmental artist and founder of the Time Shrine Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raise awareness about vulnerable environments and cultures. Anne travels to remote places in the world, creating and photographing temporary installations (TimeShrines) that document and preserve the memory of endangered places, animals and cultures. Her project titled ONE: One Planet One Future uses artistic photographs taken by Anne on her expeditions to raise awareness on human-caused threats to the environment (war, pollution, toxic waste, trash, etc.) in order to encourage sustainable behaviors and lifestyles. Her images have been exhibited in museums and other public institutions in Europe and the U.S. and are part of several private collections. Anne's work is permanently exhibited at Westbeth Center for the Arts in New York City and in Milan, Italy.
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Stephanie (left) and Cheryl Lynn Spinner
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SPINN: New Jersey natives Stephanie Spinner and Cheryl Lynn Spinner describe themselves as "city girls with country hearts." The sisters play traditional country music, inspired by artists like Dolly Parton, and write their own songs (with help from a best friend from high school). Both play the piano, and Cheryl Lynn plays the autoharp. In 2016, Spinn won country music station NASH FM’s NASH Next regional competition - which featured over 750 bands - earning them a trip to Nashville to perform in the finals and tour with the other Top 10 finalists from around the country. With three successful EPs already under their belt, Cheryl and Stephanie are enjoying living out their dreams, as they’re well on their way to being in rotation alongside the giants of the genre. On May 9th, Spinn released their single “Crazy for You,” a heart-warming, upbeat love song that is making audiences smile and sing along.
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Adison Evans is a saxophonist known for her work with Beyoncé, Jay Z and Demi Lovato. She draws on her influences, travels and life experience as well as those who have influenced her both musically and personally. Her music exudes a love for jazz, R&B and positive affirmation. Adison made her debut in the pop world playing in the 2013 Super Bowl with Beyoncé. After graduating from The Juilliard School, she toured with Beyoncé in the “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” and, afterward, with Beyoncé and JayZ in the history-making “On the Run Tour.” In 2016, she released her debut album, Hero, a tribute to those who have shaped her into the young woman and artist she is today. Her new album, Meridian, will be released on July 6, 2018.
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Jayne Baratta-DuBraski is the author of Savory Home Cooking: From Our Sicilian Hearts to Yours. She has always been passionate about cooking, mostly because of the sheer enjoyment she derives from eating good food. Cooking fills her with a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. A homemaker and entrepreneur, Jayne owes much of her culinary interest to the inspiration provided by her grandmother, mother and sister. She is grateful to pique the culinary curiosity of enthusiastic cooks and impart how to be the master of their meals. Jayne and her husband John have two daughters, Jennifer and Rachel.
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Michele's Personal Studio
located in PaintCan Studios |
Michele Bonelli is an accomplished artist as well as president and general manager of PaintCan Studios, which was designed by Michele and is located in Long Island City, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. The artists there participate in exhibitions and open studio events. Michele received her BA in studio art from Fordham University and an MFA from City College of New York (CCNY). In addition to all of her responsibilities as general manager of PaintCan Studios, Michele is a board member of the New York Society of Women Artists (NYSWA) and president of the Manhattan branch of the National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW).
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Linda Adelstein Watson was born and raised in New York and currently resides on Long Island. She attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City. After raising a family and continuing to battle a rare bone disease, Linda turned to her art as a way to heal herself and to inspire others. Linda's work has appeared in numerous group and solo exhibitions. She created the cover artwork for the blues album, "Please Save Your Love For Me," released in 2015 by award-winning performer Ebony Jo-Ann. The following notables are proud owners of Linda’s portraits: Nick Ashford (gifted to Ms. Valerie Simpson), Marc Broussard, Taylor Dayne, James Jamerson Jr, Danny Kean, Gladys Knight, David Letterman, Jeffrey Osborne, Patrice Rushen, Paul Schaeffer, Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart).
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