BFP Creative

20230326 last Thursday we had another very special guest for our community leaders conversation at Canterbury Brook Academy of The Arts. One of my mentors here in the Hudson Valley Kevin O’Connor. Kevin is the chief executive officer of RUPCO based out of Kingston, New York and has been there since 2002. A graduate of Marist University Kevin has dedicated his professional life to creating affordable and transformative housing. RUPCO has created multigenerational, artist, affordable and homeless housing. They also create opportunities for homeowners to buy their homes. Here in Newburgh, Kevin and his team rolled up their sleeves to preserve multiple buildings and commercial facilities. Notably, the beautiful refurbished church known as High Point, which now provides services, community center, Art galleries and performance spaces.

Sending a warm heartfelt, thank you to Kevin and his team at RUPCO for helping to save our beautiful historic fabric and putting back into use buildings we would’ve otherwise had lost forever.

Thank you, Kevin for visiting our super curious kids at CBA. They totally got what you do and I hope many of them will follow in your footsteps!

Big Thank You to Kit More from The MidHudson Times for this great article about one of my favorite places on this planet. CBA is an independent Art School in the City of Newburgh. Our students are thriving creatively and academically. As the Board President of this magical place I can say with confidence we can’t do this alone.

It takes a village to raise a child. Please reach out to me if you are interested in helping us provide the best possible education for K-12 kids in the City of Newburgh and the Hudson Valley.

Admissions for 2025 /26 is open for Canterbury Brook Academy of the Arts!

Please visit our website. Come experience the future of education. Smaller is better! Your child deserves the attention!!

www.CanterburyBrookAcademyoftheArts.com
267 Van Ness St. Newburgh, NY.

Please contact our Director and Founder Kelly Trotta for questions. 845-728-1925 [email protected]

20250830
I am so thrilled to announce we have our new fence being installed now. Special thanks to Jason Schellhase for his persistence, NB Codes Department and Hans Landscaping out of Closter, NJ. The lower grades will have a large private play area and the entire facility will surrounded by a handsome new fence. CBA is still accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. You will not find a more nurturing, creative and academically challenging school experience. We are a diverse community with teachers who care deeply for each child. CBA is a truly special place. I am honored to be part of this amazing program in the heart of this amazing, diverse and beautiful city I care so deeply for.
Sincerely, Thomas Burr Dodd

Newburgh Is To Me: History!

Newburgh is literally history embodied. Not only can you see or live inside history here you can touch it. You can run history through your fingers. Newburgh history is a real breathing thing that you can wrap yourself in on any of these very walkable streets. History comes alive in Newburgh. This photograph is from our archaeological dig at Weigand’s Tavern. “Dig It Newburgh” is open to the public young and old approximately every two years. Our finds are on display at the Newburgh Free Library and at 326 Liberty.

Newburgh Is To Me: People!
I met Ray Harvey many years ago when he would attend my Navigating Newburgh meetings. What I love about Ray is he always speaks his mind? I may not always agree with what he says but he speaks from the heart. I have learned so much from him. Ray invited me to join the executive board of the Newburgh/Highland Falls NAACP. I was so nervous at first. I was worried that people would not accept me or even want me in the room. Ray guided and encouraged me, I have continued to meet incredible people who I probably never would have met without his openness and support. Ray would tell me “Don’t let others rent space in your head” I think he is spot on. Recently there has been a lot of mis-information about the City of Newburgh, mostly coming from outside the city. I think Ray’s advice is useful now more than ever.

20250803 Newburgh Is To Me:
I consider myself so fortunate that usually Wednesday through Friday at 6:30 am this is my view as I walk from Weigand’s Tavern to The Liberty St. School. This is a peaceful moment I cherish as I also attempt my 15,000 steps per day. This special moment in my stressful day restores my energy so I can keep pushing forward on our extremely challenging restoration and reactivation of Frank Estabrook’s Victorian School from 1891.

There is a lot of negative press about The City of Newburgh and it deeply upsets me. People outside Newburgh paint the city as a dangerous, crime infested cesspool. What Doesn’t make it to the papers is many of the positives. This is such an amazing diverse city. Filled with so many special people and incredible opportunities. The history is un-matched as well the beauty that surrounds us. Please share what Newburgh is to you: