Sarah Van Buren (SVB) is a raver, DJ, sound artist, and library worker in Stottville, NY. She explores buried histories through sound and communal ritual. Sarah is Youth Services Manager at Hudson Area Library, a founding member of Community Rave Network, a Deep Listening® facilitator, and co-curator of 24-HOUR DRONE.

Free light bites and coffee by CIRCLES!

Fathema Rahman is a Bengali-American student who grew up in New York City and has lived in Hudson for nearly seven years. Her journey in community involvement began during high school, where she led the multicultural club and started reconnecting with her cultural roots—particularly through the art of henna and its significance in Bengali tradition.

After graduating, Fathema continued her leadership work in college, serving as president of the Business Club and J-Treasurer of the MSA. She is currently working toward her Bachelor's degree in Accounting, which she expects to complete this fall. Alongside her studies, Fathema works with high school students as the Workforce Development Coordinator for the Spark of Hudson’s youth apprenticeship program. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, binge-watching shows, and exploring creative outlets that connect her with her heritage.

Free light bites and coffee by Aguila Real!

Sofia Sarcedote is a medical student at Brown planning to go into primary care and addiction medicine. She has worked in housing case management and qualitative research on HIV and addiction care. Her oral history work documents the creation of the first state-sanctioned overdose prevention center in Rhode Island.

Free light bites and coffee by AGUILA REAL!

Charlie Merrick is a writer and organizer in Providence, RI. He holds a B.A. in Public Health and WGSS from Mills College, where his thesis explored the Queens Memory Project during the COVID-19 pandemic. He served with AmeriCorps at the RI Center for Primary Care, supervising a social medicine clinic. Charlie uses qualitative research to explore addiction treatment, peer support, and lived experience. His work is shaped by HIV/AIDS activism, autonomous education, and deep engagement with poetry and theory.

Free light bites and coffee by AGUILA REAL!

Jessica Laddin has spent nearly the past three years working in community arts programming and youth/intergenerational workshop curation. From 2021–2024, Jess was the Community Workshop Coordinator at Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House, where she programmed free community workshops including, but not limited to, Shakespeare Improv, Chess Club, Hip-Hop Dance, and Art Club. Jess is one of the cofounders of Hudson Community Choir (est. 2023), which is a free and non-audition whose mission is to foster an empowering community of singers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to help them find connection, belonging, and joy through musical performance. Jess is now a Community Coordinator at The Spark of Hudson as of August, 2024. She is an avid marathon runner, a cat lover, and aspiring forensic psychologist. Jess is a graduate of Ithaca College (2021) and holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.

Claude Vachal-Snider is 11 years old. She/they live in Hudson and go to Catskill Montessori School (CMS). Claude likes spelling and has participated in the regionals. She/they plays piano and ukulele and is in two choirs. Claude has 8 dead fish and shares a small, messy closet with the two other 6th graders in her school. They live in two houses with her Moms and has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Their two icons are Billie Eilish and Melissa Gilbert.

Suzanne Snider (Founder/Director, Oral History Summer School 2012–) is a writer, documentarian, and educator who founded, in 2012, Oral History Summer School—which now runs year-round—in upstate New York with the companion audio archive, the Community Library of Voice and Sound (directed by Emma Brown). She consults with institutions and project teams including the National Public Housing Museum, MoMA, Center for Reproductive Rights and the Sing Sing Prison Museum. She has taught at Columbia University (OHMA), Bard’s Center for Curatorial Studies and she is a Part-Time Associate Professor at the New School. Prior to her work with adult learners, she taught in the New York City public school system (pre-K through 6th), and developed arts curriculum for visually impaired students at the New York Institute for Special Education.

Free light bites and coffee by CIRCLES

Join photographer Chad Weckler for a hands-on photo safari through the streets of Hudson. This walking workshop is perfect for beginners and seasoned photographers alike who want to sharpen their eye and deepen their understanding of visual storytelling.

The session begins at The Spark Building, then we’ll head out to explore the rich textures, lighting, shapes, and patterns of Hudson’s vibrant streetscape.

What you’ll explore:

• Lighting and natural contrast

• Compositional framing and cropping

• Shapes, patterns, and color dynamics

Bring your camera or simply your cell phone—whatever you use to capture the world around you.

This is a great opportunity to walk, observe, and create alongside one of Hudson’s most experienced photographers.

Free to attend. All skill levels welcome.

Chad Weckler's exhibition Portraits of Hudson will be on view at The Spark Building through August 1st, 2025. 

Join us for a hands-on introduction to gravestone preservation, rooted in the rich history of Hudson’s own Cedar Park Cemetery. We’ll explore the stories behind local figures while learning why gravestones matter -- not just as memorials, but as cultural artifacts, genealogical treasures, and works of art. You’ll also gain practical tips for cleaning and caring for headstones with respect and care. Perfect for history lovers, cemetery wanderers, and anyone interested in preserving memory.

Between diapers, snacks, and the never-ending game of "where did that go?", keeping your home in order during the early years of parenting can feel impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. In this practical and compassionate workshop, organizer and systems expert Raena Baldwin returns to The Spark to share realistic, judgment-free strategies for creating routines that actually work when you have little ones at home.

Whether you're in the thick of newborn nights or navigating the unpredictable energy of toddler days, you'll leave with:

• Tools for setting up a manageable home rhythm

• Ideas for simplifying daily tasks (even when you're sleep-deprived)

• Tips for organizing your space and your time

• A sense of encouragement that you’re not alone in the chaos

This workshop is for any caregiver looking to feel more grounded, supported, and in control—whatever that means in your current season.

About the Facilitator:
Raena Baldwin is the founder of Fresh Start, a personal organizing company that specializes in helping individuals and families reclaim their spaces and routines with care. While her company offers traditional cleaning services, Raena’s true passion lies in creating home systems that support her clients’ lives. From redesigning rooms to implementing chore routines, her work is tailored, holistic, and deeply rooted in empathy. She believes that every home—and every family—deserves support that meets them where they are.

Join Grace Pullin—Spark’s own special events coordinator — for a hands-on workshop in the art of cheese board building. This interactive class blends culinary creativity with local food education as Grace shares tips on crafting beautiful, balanced boards while teaching about Hudson Valley dairy, sustainable farming practices, and the nutritional value of local cheeses.

Whether you’re prepping for a party or just love cheese, you’ll walk away with practical skills, a deeper appreciation for regional producers, and of course CHEESE!

Free to attend. All materials provided. Spots are limited—register now!

Join professional cleaner Raena Baldwin for a thoughtful workshop on navigating the unique challenges of helping elders maintain a clean and comfortable home.

Whether you're supporting aging parents, relatives, or neighbors, this session will offer practical strategies for decluttering, cleaning, and organizing elder spaces in a way that respects autonomy, preserves dignity, and fosters connection. Learn how to assess needs, have productive conversations, and create systems that actually stick.

Raena brings years of experience working hands-on with families to make homes more functional and peaceful. Her approach blends compassion, structure, and deep respect for the people she serves.

Free to attend. All are welcome—especially adult children, caregivers, and community members supporting elder loved ones.

Would you like a shorter version for social media too?

Wanting to run your first long-distance race? Whether that’s a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon, this workshop is for anyone who's been thinking about signing up but may feel intimidation about pulling the trigger.

Led by Jess Laddin, a Community Coordinator at The Spark of Hudson, avid runner and marathon finisher, this presentation and interactive conversation is packed with practical advice. Jess isn’t a fitness professional—just someone who wanted to run long distances and took the first step.

In this presentation, we’ll cover:

• How to get started in the running community

• Gear do’s and don’ts

• Common myths (and what’s actually helpful)

• Tips, tricks, and mindset shifts for training

• Training resources to help you stay motivated and on track

Whether you’re eyeing your first 5K or your first marathon, you’ll leave with the tools, support, and inspiration to lace up your shoes and sign up for that race you’ve always dreamed of running!