Recognizing Oswego County Co-President Brandon Morey said, “This month our theme was Arts Appreciation and we selected Nancy Fox as our Community Champion. Nancy embodies what a community champion is; someone with a specific passion and deep community spirit. After many years of recognizing those who are doing amazing work in Oswego County, we have found that when those traits come together, champions abound!”

The spark for the CNY Arts Center developed 5 years ago when Fox notice some negativity from those around her about the Fulton community. She knew about the economic and cultural impact that arts could have and invited people to a meeting. Fourteen people came to that first meeting and ten eventually helped her to get the CNY Arts Center going in the State Street Methodist church in July 2012. At the same time the group opened up a space in downtown Fulton. This space remains the Center’s gallery and workshop studio, offering classes and summer camps.

The big move happened in Fall of 2014 with the relocation of the performing arts center up to the CCC campus. In nominating Fox for this award, Sue Witmer, Director of Operations of the Fulton Branch of CCC commented how this move has helped create additional musical and artistic opportunities in the community and how family productions have become a staple of the Center’s productions. “Nancy is a very talented, passionate and dedicated individual, devoted to creating an environment in our community/county where individuals can test the waters with their creativity,” Witmer said.

Fox said “People are surprised that there is an Arts Center in Fulton, but we have had both high profile instructors and very successful students. Our Center is very busy with a full season of theater, an arts festival and summer camps coming up this spring and summer. We welcome people to come to our Centers to explore their creative spirit.” For more information, visit their website at www.cnyartscenter.com.

Recognizing Oswego County focuses on the positive efforts that are being made in the community. Each month ROC uses this recognition effort as a platform for emphasizing the wonderful work that is happening in Oswego County to promote the health and wellness of children, families and adults. A theme is selected each month and nominations for Community Champions are solicited.

For April, Recognizing Oswego County is seeking nominations for Community Champions working in the area of Teen Pregnancy and STD Awareness. Nominations are due by April 6th. The nomination form is available on the “Recognizing Oswego County-ROC” Facebook page or by contacting bmorey@oswegocounty.com. The next ROC meeting will be held April 7th at 8:00 am at the Oswego Federal Credit Union at the corner of East 4th and Bridge Streets in Oswego. All are welcome.