FESTIVAL BALLET PROVIDENCE TO DEDICATE 2017-2018 SEASON TO FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT EDWARD M. FOGARTY
Fogarty remembered as a passionate and long-serving officer, lover of dance and the arts, advocate for arts education
PROVIDENCE, RI-Following the death of long-time Trustee, benefactor, former Board President, and current Vice President Edward M. Fogarty, Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) will dedicate its entire 40th Anniversary Season in his memory. Mihailo Misha” Djuric, FBP??s Artistic Director, explains the decision serves to honor Fogarty and his far-reaching contributions to Company and to the artistic community at large. Ed was a dear friend to all of us and his passion for dance inspired every member of this organization,” Djuric said, adding, we were all shocked and saddened when we heard the news of his death last week.
Fogarty was a passionate advocate for Festival Ballet Providence, serving for almost 30 years on the Board of Trustees from 1988 until his death on August 31, 2017. He was the governing body’s Vice President.
Fogarty??s passion for dance was deeply felt and generously shared. Ed, along with his wife Gail Higgins Fogarty, were active supporters of the Company as it grew and navigated major transitions. Following the death of founder Christine Hennessey in 1997, he served on the leadership search committee that would select Misha Djuric as Artistic Director in 1998.
Fogarty served on the committee that orchestrated FBP??s relocation to its current East Side facility, which included the purchase and major renovation of the Hope Street building in 2001. The venue continues to serve as a cultural landmark as well as a rehearsal, performance, and educational space for the Company and the FBP School. “Ed loved everything we presented in the Black Box Theatre,” Djuric said. “He was front and center at every program, and he was always the first on his feet during the curtain call. His energy was contagious.”
“Ed had a great eye for dance and he related to much of the work that we do here,” Djuric said. “He would connect with dancers and choreographers and follow their careers and cheer them on as artists. He was truly invested in this art form and our dancers.”
The current season dedicated in Fogarty??s memory includes a variety of works that range from classical to contemporary. “I know that Ed was so looking forward to this season and everything we have planned. It??s going to be bittersweet for the Company to perform knowing Ed would have loved to be there,” Djuric said.
The Company has established a new works fund in Fogarty??s name. The fund honors Ed??s affinity for new artistic creations by supporting programming including the creation of new works of choreography for Festival Ballet Providence.