Sonia Kozlova Clark: Bridging Art and Audience Through Visionary Management
It was this act of moving hearts and minds utilizing the raw material of art, but it takes a deft hand to untangle the artist's involvement with those who appreciate their art most. As Sonia Kozlova Clark exemplifies, the managing of art can be art. Her brilliance is evident in her exhibitions at the Lewiston Art Park. Whether it was the breathtaking performances by international artists or immersive shows presented by homegrown talent, every production has continued to exemplify her exemplary planning and knowledge of her fans. From a jaw-dropping visual spectacle to an intimate musical night, audiences departed, time and time again, inspired, uplifted and abuzz about the indelible memories she forged. “The shows Sonia brought to Lexington weren’t just events, they were cultural moments that people carried with them,” said a frequent attendee. Sonia's creativity, combined with strong management, made the Lexington Art Park an established hub for memorable artistic experiences. Indeed, Sonia’s work as a leader who spends her years developing links between artists and audiences is purposeful because she creates purposeful work in order for creativity to spill over to others, to improve lives, and to help create better societies.
The Art of Managing Art
For Sonia, running art is so much more than drawing up a schedule — it’s about enacting moments that matter. “Art doesn’t live if you don’t experience it,” Sonia often says, and she has spent her career making that happen. Over her years running the Artpark & Company in Lewiston, New York, Sonia curated 100 programs every summer, attracting 150,000 people each year and pumping $10 million into the local economy. Her programming was as eclectic as it was ambitious, including everything from contemporary visual art exhibitions to large-scale musical festivals. In collaboration with international talents, Sonia initiated transformative performances, including U.S. premieres of renowned acts such as Plasticiens Volants and Fura dels Baus. “The energy of these events wasn’t just on stage; it reverberated throughout the whole community,” said a leader in the community. Through her vision and strategic thinking, she made Artpark a cultural center for broad audiences and a skyrocket for Western New York arts as a whole. (Artpark & Company) Sonia’s work encompassed more than global reach; she also stressed the importance of nurturing local talent and providing venues for emerging artists. “It’s not only about bringing the world to us; it’s about bringing, elevating, amplifying the voices within our own community,” Sonia said in a 2019 interview. Her work made it possible for art not just to be seen but lived and celebrated among all. And with that, they create experiences that will never be forgotten.
Creating Unforgettable Experiences
Sonia’s work is much more than programming showings. Her passion is connecting people to art and to one another — making sure everybody can be a part of the art-making experience. The Strawberry Moon Festival, for example, not only honoured the rich traditions of the Haudenosaunee people but also provided a setting for successful cultural exchange. Attendees often described it as “transformative,” a celebration that created understanding and appreciation among different communities. In a related vein, the Artpark Bridges Program forged new frontiers in accessibility with tailored programs that empowered people of all walks of life and all levels of capability to experience and enjoy art. “A first-time participant said, ‘For the first time, I felt that the arts world was open to me, no barriers, just joy.’ These initiatives extended well beyond the potential for programmatic excitement — they were platforms for inclusion, evidencing Sonia’s firm belief that art should be a universal experience. Her leadership was evident in ambitious productions like “The Odyssey,” which enlisted locals to work alongside professional artists to reinterpret timeless stories. “Art is not just about the people on a stage — it’s about the communities that come together to create it, to witness it,” Sonia said in an interview. In doing so, Sonia firmly saw to it that these performances were only one of many high-quality performances but spaces for creativity shared between practice and viewer, consolidating the link between art and viewer. She oversaw ambitious productions like “The Odyssey,” which brought local participants and professional artists together to reimagine timeless tales. “Art is more than artists in a gallery or on a stage; it’s about a community that comes together to create it and witness it,” Sonia said in an interview. And her ability to unite people around a common creative vision has proven to be among her most potent assets.
Collaboration: The Heart of Her Success
Every great performance comes from a network of people working together to make it happen. Sonia’s skill is in building out these networks in a visionary way. Her collaborative approach to the work required bringing together artists from outside the community, local leaders, and volunteers, each of whom contributed unique perspectives and expertise to develop programs that were both inclusive and groundbreaking. “Sonia has a way of making you feel like an essential part of the puzzle,” said a longtime collaborator.
Be it collaborating with world-famous acts, such as Cirque Inextremiste, who balance 1000-liter water tanks on their shoulders, or engaging regional talent to reinvent classic tales, Sonia created an atmosphere of collaboration, respect, and creativity. Not only did this enrich the artistic output, but her gentle nurturing of the contributors helped form a strong sense of community.
At Artpark, Sonia’s collaborations helped transform ambitious visions into realities. The POWER: ARTPARK 2030 Strategic Plan, which she authored in concert with creative architects and local stakeholders, proved that she brings communities of people into a collective consciousness. “When people come together for a common purpose, magic happens,” Sonia often says, and her work is a testament to that idea.
At Artpark, she made this magic a daily reality. Her collaborations with international visionaries such as Cirque Inextremiste and renowned architects of Artpark’s strategic vision, POWER: ARTPARK 2030, proved that her big-picture thinking could translate into actionable minutiae. Such collaborations expanded the arts and created deeper ties within the community.
Advocacy for a Brighter Future
Her work serves as an ongoing source of inspiration for policymakers, artists, and audiences, challenging conventional norms and reshaping the understanding of creativity in the modern landscape. She advocates for the idea that art should be a powerful tool for promoting equity and inclusion, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to connect, share, and celebrate their common humanity.
Her vision is straightforward yet profound: by using art as a medium, we can bridge divides that separate us and foster a sense of belonging among all people. This perspective encourages collaboration and dialogue across different communities, emphasizing that creativity can play a vital role in addressing social issues and enhancing communal ties. “Art is a necessity, not a luxury,” Sonia often says, underscoring the role art plays in fostering understanding and healing.
Furthermore, her model invites policymakers, artists, and audiences to rethink and reimagine how creativity can influence our world. It challenges us to see creativity not just as a form of expression but as a catalyst for positive change, inspiring innovative solutions to the challenges we face. By embracing this approach, Sonia encourages us to work towards a future in which art enriches our lives and promotes understanding and unity among all groups.
Moments That Last a Lifetime
Because of Sonia Kozlova Clark, countless people have had opportunities they will remember for a lifetime — the thrill of a live performance, the joy of exploring a new culture, and the discovery of a community brought together through art. Whether through cinematic-scale visual bonanzas or intimate cultural exchanges, Sonia’s talent for programming and presenting such experiences on a myriad of scales has resonated with audiences everywhere.
“Every time Sonia touches a show, it becomes more than a show; it becomes a memory, it becomes a story,” said a longtime attendee of her productions. Her attention to detail creates not only immersive environments, but she has an intuition for selecting acts that transcend performance and genuinely connect the explorer to the acts around them, leading to a deep emotional connection even for those simply watching.
What truly distinguishes her is her commitment to crafting these transformative moments. “Art isn’t only creating, it’s sharing,” Sonia says. Her career has been a remarkable demonstration of how the right leadership can make art come alive in ways that can be transformative. (Niagara Frontier Publications)
Sonia Kozlova Clark’s work is a powerful reminder that the arts do not exist in a vacuum but rather in the hands of managers who understand the essence of art and the people for whom it is intended. Sonia’s power to bring artistic visions to life has elevated performances and built up communities. “Sonia has the singular gift of converting creative energy into transformational experiences,” said one collaborator.
The logistics of running the fest set aside, her visionary approach seamlessly forges a link between the glitzy world of artistic endeavor and everyday life, demonstrating once more that art management at this level is an art in itself. Known for her efforts to make art accessible, meaningful, and impactful, Sonia’s work at Artpark and beyond has stood as a beacon of how creative management can transform the way art is presented and consumed.
Sonia continues to influence the world of arts management today—her work ensures that the gift of creativity finds its way into lives in transformative ways. Her leadership highlights the critical role that skilled managers have in realizing the work of art, not just as a performance but as a thing that animates communities and inspires generations. (Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce, via Associated Press)
Sonia Kozlova Clark: Championing Art Management Today
Sonia Kozlova Clark’s work is a reminder that the arts don’t thrive in isolation; they need managers who understand their essence and their audience. Through her visionary leadership, she has turned dreams into realities, proving that managing art is, indeed, an art. Sonia continues to shape the world of arts management, ensuring that creativity reaches audiences in transformative ways. Her work today is a testament to the vital role that skilled managers play in bringing art to life and enriching communities everywhere.