Lexington to honor the legacy of Paul Nigra with the development of a Center for Creative Arts.
Lexington has announced that it will develop the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts to honor its late director, Paul Nigra. Paul passed away on March 12, 2012 from complications of ALS. Paul was the executive director of Lexington for 42 years, retiring in 2010. Lexington serves individuals with developmental disabilities offering programs and residential settings for adults and children throughout Fulton County and has four homes in Albany County. Paul believed that every person could achieve success and fulfillment regardless of their disability. He believed in their abilities and fostered unparalleled supports for the individuals in the Lexington family.
In 2003 Lexington created the band Flame comprised of individuals with disabilities. Flame dovetailed Paul’s passion for music and his desire to help people succeed. He became Flame’s biggest fan and worked to promote Flame as the talented musicians they were rather than focusing on their disability. Through his support and vision the band developed, playing hundreds of concerts yearly, recorded five albums and has spread their music and their message of inspiration to people all over the United States and overseas. Lexington will further these efforts with the development of a Creative Arts Center that will bear Paul Nigra’s name.
The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will offer enrichment in music and artistic experiences for members of the community as well as Lexington program participants. Plans are currently being developed that would outline the location and size of the Paul Nigra Center, the types of services and facilities, and a timeline for completion. A music studio that would be open to the community and Lexington program participants and offer opportunities to learn and for performance with Flame’s guidance will be a key component of the Paul Nigra Center. Partnerships with Artistic groups are also being considered to provide similar opportunities in Art.
The Boards of Directors of Lexington and its Foundation fully endorse the development of the Paul Nigra Center for the Creative Arts. The Boards have pledged $100,000 as seed money for the creation of the Center. Additional fundraising will be required to complete the Paul Nigra Center and to develop the full array of programming under consideration.
Shaloni Winston, current executive director of Lexington said, “Paul was truly an inspirational leader who worked tirelessly to offer extraordinary services to individuals with disabilities. He loved music and all arts and our desire to honor his legacy with the development of a Center for the Creative Arts is only a small tribute to the tremendous efforts he gave to our great family and community.”
To donate or learn more about the Paul Nigra Center for the Creative Arts, contact the Lexington Foundation at 518-736-3917 or visit the Lexington website at www.lexingtoncenter.org.
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