In December, The Spark Building, where we host community programming and events, closed an exhibition titled Hudson: 1997–2003. The show was presented in partnership with the Columbia County Habitat for Humanity ReStore and featured portrait paintings by artist Phyllis Hjorth. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hjorth lived in Hudson and painted her neighbors—children, parents, workers, elders—capturing them in moments of everyday dignity during a period when the city itself was in profound transition.

When I first sat down with Gigi and Albert, the founders of The Spark of Hudson, almost three years ago, I couldn’t have imagined what we would build together. The Spark was still mostly an idea then, a hope for a place that could hold the messy, important work of learning together and being in community.

At The Spark of Hudson we have always eagerly engaged with our community. We actively seek input on new projects, partner with local organizations and encourage local residents to spearhead their own learning circles. A number of our initiatives are also nested in community organizations such as the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood. 

Launched in late February, the Eutopia Program for Innovation in our Community (EPIC Grants) was created to support bold and creative projects that benefit Hudson residents. In just a few short months, we've been blown away by the range and thoughtfulness of the applications we've received—from ecological restoration to community arts and education.

One year ago, Circles Bagels opened in the cafe of The Spark of Hudson building. What started as a weekend pop-up slinging sourdough bagels out of Lil Deb’s and other borrowed kitchens has, in just twelve months, become a true community anchor. And we at The Spark got to watch it happen from the front row.

Technology is moving at lightning speed. Every other day there is a new tool, a new discovery, a new change to the way we live our lives and interact with the world around us. But as we dive headlong into this future, one critical question remains: Who gets left behind?

In December, I hosted a Winter Solstice gathering on the Skydeck at The Spark. As the Executive Director, I spend a lot of time thinking about how The Spark Building can best serve our community – but on that night, it served as a place for something deeply personal: celebrating the longest night of the year with the people I love.

Here at The Spark of Hudson, we’re dedicated to building up local workforce development. In July of 2024 we partnered with Peter Frank and Friends of Hudson Youth to launch an apprenticeship program with the goal of helping students gain skills such as adaptability, leadership, communication, project management, critical thinking, and more. While many local opportunities are for older students, our program is designed for youth aged 14-18 facing challenges in connecting with businesses and finding part-time work. Apprentices can choose to work at CoLab, our coworking space; or Circles, Chef Tepper's bagel shop. After completing the program, we help apprentices find local part-time jobs and provide six months of additional mentoring after they are placed.

The Spark Building is a space for learning, connection, and community—but most importantly it’s a space for you. We host our own programming and partner with organizations to bring mission-driven events to life, and we also want the building to be available for people to use in ways that are personally meaningful to them. Whether that’s a family reunion, a birthday party, or a community gathering, The Spark is a resource for everyone in Hudson.

At The Spark of Hudson, we are constantly inspired by the creativity and passion within our community. We believe that collaboration and innovation thrive when everyone has access to the resources they need, regardless of financial barriers. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new initiative that originated from the heart of our community: the Non-Profit Grant to subsidize membership fees for our CoLab space!

At The Spark of Hudson, we believe that everyone has something valuable to share. That's why we're excited to introduce Spark Conversations, an initiative designed to bring our community together through teaching and learning. Whether you have a unique skill, a fascinating hobby, or an insightful experience, we invite you to share it with others by hosting a workshop or class in our Learning Lab space.

Are you a healthcare student in Hudson looking for an affordable and supportive living environment? We have fantastic news for you! Applications are now open for the HudsonNEST program, set to begin in September 2024.

Our motto at The  Spark of Hudson is “learn together”. We’ve learned so much this year from our community: how to show up, listen and help make an impact. We’re excited to continue learning from you (and together) in what we hope will be a happy, healthy new year for us all. -Susan + Albert.

Joanie Tom is the principal of GLO Architecture & Design. Previously, she practiced at SHoP Architects, where she was the project architect on a gut renovation and conversion of the Biltmore Hotel at 335 Madison Avenue into a vertical tech campus and headquarters for COMPANY.