ArtsWestchester Announces 2026 Arts Award Winners

White Plains, N.Y. (February 4, 2026) – ArtsWestchester will honor a diverse group of creators and organizations that have shaped the cultural fabric of the region at its 2026 Arts Awards.

The annual luncheon on March 13 at the Brae Burn Country Club brings together the county’s most influential artistic voices in support of an arts environment that is rebounding from last year’s federal funding cuts.

“The 2026 Arts Award honorees embody the extraordinary depth and diversity of Westchester’s cultural spirit,” said Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester. “From capturing the timeless beauty of the Hudson to reclaiming long-silenced histories and fostering radical inclusivity, these visionaries remind us that the arts are the foundation of a vibrant, equitable community. ArtsWestchester is proud to celebrate their achievements as we redouble our commitment to nurturing a creative ecosystem where every artist and organization can flourish and inspire.”

This year’s President’s Award will be presented to Mary Calvi. Known as the First Lady of Yonkers, Calvi is also a celebrated historian and best-selling novelist. Her “Club Calvi” book club on CBS News New York and her meticulously researched novels, such as Dear George, Dear Mary, have brought a new dimension to American historical literature.

Joining her in the winner’s circle is Joseph Squillante, whose 50-year photographic odyssey has captured the soul of the Hudson River. As the founder of the Hudson River School of Photography, Squillante’s romantic landscapes are now staples in the permanent collections of the New-York Historical Society and the Hudson River Museum.

The Larry Salley Photography Award will be presented to Chioma Nwana. A Pulitzer fellow based in White Plains, Nwana is recognized for her “quiet urgency” in documenting the Black experience and the effects of urban redevelopment, ensuring that marginalized legacies remain “immovable and permanent.”

The awards for Advancing Equity highlight those bridging social divides. Joyce Sharrock Cole, the Village Historian of Ossining, is recognized for her groundbreaking archival research and her play They Call Me Dimmock, a court drama about self-emancipation. Fellow awardee Christina Picciano, founder of the Hudson Valley Queer Collective, is honored for producing inclusive programming—ranging from “Queeraoke” to the interactive LGBTQ+ Listening Library.

The White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee, Inc. will receive the Advancing Equity Organization Award for its steadfast commitment to cultural representation.

In the realm of education, We Art One: Artist Collective, Inc. (WAO) will receive the Sophia Abeles Arts Education Award. Based in Yonkers, WAO has transformed public spaces into hubs for intergenerational healing, serving hundreds of youths and seniors through relationship-based arts programming.

Interdisciplinary art center KinoSaito is also among the honorees. Located in a repurposed Catholic school in Verplanck, the center has become a world-class destination for avant-garde theater and abstract art, doubling its membership this past year through high-profile partnerships and community-centric programs like “KinoKids.”

The awards ceremony will be held from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on Friday, March 13.

• Location: Brae Burn Country Club, Purchase, NY
• Tickets: $175 (Individual) | $125 (Cultural Org Members/Affiliates) Click here to buy tickets.
• Deadline: Attendees must register by 2:00 pm on March 12th.

Contact: Ernie Garcia, Thompson & Bender, 914-762-1900 or [email protected]