ArtsWestchester 2020 Arts Award Celebration Goes Virtual
Honorees to Take Part in Virtual Award Ceremony June 30 That Spotlights Individuals and Organizations Who Have Enriched the Cultural Life of Westchester County

ArtsWestchester is moving forward with its annual Arts Awards with a virtual celebration honoring seven Westchester County residents and organizations.  Leaders from the County’s arts and business community will join together to celebrate the stellar accomplishments of the 2020 Arts Award Honorees including:  acclaimed musician Pablo Mayor of Tarrytown, the Romita Family of Pelham; Blue Door Art Center of Yonkers; The City of New Rochelle; the Ossining Public Library; A-Chord with Kids of Rye and Port Chester and Arnold Kastenbaum of Mamaroneck. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. at artsw.org/artaward2020, along with Facebook and You Tube.

Janet T. Langsam, ArtsWestchester CEO stated, “Every year since 1976 ArtsWestchester has celebrated the vision and commitment of the brightest stars in Westchester’s cultural community.  Westchester has suffered gratefully as a result of COVID-19 and the event must go on.  Artists are the heart and soul that makes Westchester such a great place to live and work and are essential for our rebuilding and healing.  What better time to recognize all the talent and dedication of area artists and arts organizations than now.”

The 2020 Arts Award recipients are:

Emily & Eugene Grant Arts Patron Award Honoree:
The Romita Family: A family’s leadership and dedication fuels the cultural life of the Pelham community.

Community Award Honoree:
The City of New Rochelle: This historic city makes arts and culture central to its revitalization efforts.

Artist Award Honoree:
Pablo Mayor: An acclaimed jazz musician from Tarrytown shares his passion for modern Colombian music and dance with the world.

Arts Organization Award Honoree:
Blue Door Art Center: A vibrant arts organization enlivens the cultural life of Yonkers.

 Sophia Abeles Education Award Honoree:
Ossining Public Library: This library brings a diverse range of arts programming to Northern Westchester.

 Education Award:
A-Chord With Kids: A group of youth volunteers provides music education and mentorship to their peers. Founded in 2012 by students at Rye Country Day School, A-Chord With Kids provides music education to students who are members of the Carver Center in Port Chester.

Lawrence Salley Photography Award:
Arnold Kastenbaum: A talented photographer from Mamaroneck plays with light to transform ordinary objects.

Virtual ticket and virtual table donations are available for purchase to support ArtsWestchester’s programs and services at this difficult time. To make a donation or for more information the first-ever Virtual Arts Awards Celebration, please visit: artsw.org/artsaward2020

About ArtsWestchester

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building in downtown White Plains.

Join the Celebration online, Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. at artsw.org/artsaward2020, along with Facebook and You Tube.

“New Rochelle 2050 by artist Victor Ash,” on the Raddison Hotel, photo by Ben Lau.