NECS Hosts ‘Creativity Ignited’ with Awards, Brunch, and Community

Annual event honors six individuals and outlines next steps in ongoing social and educational work across the Hudson Valley

Sharon Rubinstein

NECS Founder Ridvan Idara making a pressentation at the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce Women in Business conference in March 2025.

By Ariana Almeida-Martínez, [email protected]

May 30, 2025

Creativity Ignited is a special event organized by New Era Creative Space. (NECS Facebook)

Once again, creativity, ingenuity, and community service will take center stage at New Era Creative Space (NECS). On Sunday, June 8, the grassroots organization will hold the sixth edition of Creativity Ignited, a gathering that will bring together networking, brunch, awards, inspiring speeches, and a ceremonial close to the cycle. The event will begin at 11:45 a.m. and will honor accomplishments, celebrate those who achieved them, and set new goals.

At that hour, the doors of The Garrison will open to welcome educators, leaders, and young people who are part of this independent initiative. Since 2013, NECS has combined art, education, and social action to help shape the next generation in Peekskill and neighboring communities. The event will begin promptly, opening with brunch, followed by speeches and concluding with informal conversations among attendees.

In the final segment of Creativity Ignited, from 1:30-3 p.m., NECS will offer a more intimate space: coffee and conversation among those who — in various roles — have supported the organization’s programs over the year. NECS founder and director Ridvan Idara noted in her speech last year that children are the community’s most valuable treasure. “They are the promise of future generations in the world. If we invest in them, we invest in freedom.”

Participants at 2024 Creativity Ignited during the post-program networking session. (NECS Facebook)

Six individuals will be honored this year for their work at different levels. In the institutional category, the Rotary Club of Peekskill will receive the Community Service Award. Among adult honorees, Maria Flores will receive the Youth Advocate Award and Renee Kearse will be recognized as Mentor of the Year. Youth awards will go to Theo North (Creativity Award), Alyssa Copland (Emerging Artist Award), and Madeline Cairl (Community Leadership Award).

The program will be hosted by multidisciplinary artist Bria Waterman and author-filmmaker Zia Foxhall. The keynote address will be delivered by Collette V. Smith, founder of Believe in You Inc. and the first Black woman to serve as a coach in the NFL.

In 2023, NECS ran more than 72 programs and served over 600 children, teens, and adults. These efforts were supported by the organization’s sustained commitment to equity through scholarships, subsidies, and discounts designed to ensure accessible programming for all.

For more information about Sunday’s event or about NECS, visit their official website.

About the Contributor

Ariana Almeida-Martínez, Events Reporter

Ariana is an Ecuadorian journalist with over 15 years of experience in both print and digital media. Throughout her career, she has covered a wide range of topics, including community issues, judicial affairs, entertainment, refugees, and human rights. She has reported and written for two prominent newspapers in Quito, Diario Hoy and Diario Extra. In 2023, Ariana moved to Peekskill in pursuit of new professional challenges, with the aim of captivating the readers of the Peekskill Herald with her engaging stories.