Doers and Dreamers – Renee’ Darmstadt

Your name:  Renée Darmstadt

Business or organization:  Cornell Street Studios

Occupation:  Director / Event Planner for Studio & Gallery

What makes your approach to your business or occupation that makes you unique?
Having such a large space (6,500 square ft), thanks to my father Ken Darmstadt, allows me to get super creative! The multi-studio space hosts fitness classes, photo-shoots, art events, classic car shows, fashion shows, and all sorts of fun activities!  We also have a boutique of handmade & vintage items where local artisans sell their wears.

The art events we host incorporate many local artists and beyond. Once a theme is planned for a show I not only reach out to artists, but to other local business’ to participate as well.  Its so important to support one another, and grow together in this community. Our next art show is on October 12th 6-10pm- “The Culinary Experience” Food Art Show & Partial Fundraiser for The Queens Galley. Come see for yourself what makes the studios unique!

Where are you from originally?
Kingston! I LOVE Kingston! We hosted an art show all about Kingston in February of this year.

What brought you to the Kingston area and what keeps you in this area?
There are so many cool happenings here and I am so happy to be a part of it. Its a special place. Its also my hometown! Kingston pride baby!

What is your favorite hangout in this area and why?
This is a tough question because I love all of Kingston. But since I grew up close to the Rondout, I would have to say on my days off I find myself downtown near the water.

When you’re not in Kingston, what’s your idea of a wonderful city to visit, and why?
I like visiting the surrounding areas to find inspiration, see new things and to shop of course! Saugerties and Rhinebeck happen to be among my favorite villages and NYC is my favorite city.

Tell us something we never would have guessed about you.
You may not know that I actually went to college for Arts Administration and now I am doing it! I was also a part of their track team for all 4 years, which relates to the other half of my business — Fitness.