St. Mary’s Bank was honored with the Dyed-in-the-Wool Arts Award at the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts’ (NHBCA) 40th Annual Arts Awards Gala on May 6, 2024.

Tom Raffio, Chairman of NHBCA, presented the award to Ken Senus, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Bank. This recognition celebrates St. Mary’s Bank's enduring commitment to the arts, highlighted by its decades-long partnership with Manchester’s historic Palace Theatre.

Through St. Mary’s Bank's past patronage of the Angel Tickets program, numerous young people have experienced the magic of live theater performances for the first time. The credit union's support of the Second Century Campaign has also helped fund vital renovations. Its sponsorship of the Performing Arts Series since 2021 has helped bring nationally recognized Broadway musicals and original shows to the city and region. By supporting this important program, the credit union works with the theatre to strengthen and uplift the community, reinforcing the organization’s strong commitment to serving others. 

“The arts play a vital role in enriching our communities, and we are honored to be recognized for our efforts to support this important and inspiring cause,” said Ken Senus, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Bank. “Our partnership with the Palace Theatre is one of the many ways we try to give back to the community that has supported us for so long.”

“The support we receive from the business community is critical to the success of the Palace Theatres,” said Peter Ramsey, President and CEO, Palace Theatres. “St. Mary’s Bank has generously supported the arts and our organization for many, many years, and we could not be more pleased to see them receive the recognition they so greatly deserve.”

The NHBCA celebrates businesses, organizations, and individuals' contributions to New Hampshire's flourishing arts and cultural scene. This year's gala embraced the theme of “expect the unexpected.” It featured augmented reality art and energetic dance performances from Expressive Movement that nodded to the cultural trends of the NHBCA's founding year, 1984.

In addition to the recognition, each recipient received a unique, 12 x 10-inch framed oil painting created by Concord-based artist and gallery owner Pamela R. Tarbell at this year's ceremony. This creative tribute, capturing the gala's purples, blues, and greens, made each award one-of-a-kind.