News in Brief

Show Your Support for the Arts at the Upcoming Westchester County Hearing

Supporters of the arts in Westchester have been attending the County’s budget hearings to demonstrate support for arts funding. In Westchester, the nonprofit arts sector is an economic driver, contributing $172.3 million to the local economy and 5,179 jobs. Beyond its economic impact, the arts strengthen community life and enhance Westchester’s reputation as a desirable place to live and work. Join ArtsWestchester and its member organizations at the final public hearing on December 6 at the Board of Legislators Chamber (Floor 8) at 148 Martine Avenue in White Plains. For info, visit: artsw.org/speakupforthearts.

Gilda’s Club Class Creates Mosaic For Those Lost to Cancer

Tree of Life by members of Gilda’s Club of Westchester (photo courtesy of Clay Art Center)

Clay Art Center’s “Healing with Clay” class members from Gilda’s Club of Westchester (GCW) recently created a commemorative mosaic mural to honor the life of their classmate Ilene Rose, who recently passed away, as well as those who passed away before her. Each spring and fall, this program offers free clay classes to members of GCW and, since its inception in 2011, has served more than 200 men and women who have been impacted by cancer. “Healing with Clay,” led by teaching artist Denis Licul, is a guided, hands-on meditation with clay that focus on breathing and on releasing anxiety and stress. The Tree of Life mosaic is made up of individual tiles by each student and addresses elements of growth, nature, renewal and warmth.

 

 

 

 

A Call for Westchester Photographers

Larry Salley

ArtsWestchester, in partnership with the African American Men of Westchester, seeks nominations for the inaugural Larry Salley Photography Award. The award was created to celebrate the life and artistic achievements of Lawrence “Larry” C. Salley, who was an active member of both organizations. This competition is open to Westchester based photographers, who have a significant body of work of outstanding artistic merit. The recipient will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the opportunity to have a three-month residency in one of ArtsWestchester’s artist studio spaces at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. The award will be presented at ArtsWestchester’s annual Arts Award Luncheon in April 2018. The deadline for nominations is January 2, 2018. For more info, visit bit.ly/LarrySalleyPhoto.

 

 

George Latimer Elected Westchester County Executive, New Faces on the County Board of Legislators

George Latimer (photo source: nysenate.gov)

As the designated countywide arts organizations for Westchester County, ArtsWestchester has a longstanding partnership with Westchester County Government. Working together with the County Executive and the Westchester County Board of Legislators, ArtsWestchester strives to maintain vital public/private support for the arts. Recently, George Latimer, a Rye State Senator, was elected for a four-year term as Westchester County’s new County Executive. Latimer replaces two-term incumbent Rob Astorino.

The November Westchester County elections also brought new faces to the County Board. Raised in Pound Ridge, currently living in Katonah, Kitley S. Covill joins the Board as the new County legislator for District 2, replacing Francis T. Corcoran. Nancy E. Barr of Rye Brook will also join the Board as the new County legislator for District 6, replacing David B. Gelfarb. Damon R. Maher of New Rochelle, was recently elected County Legislator for District 10, replacing Sheila Marcotte. In District 16, Yonkers Councilman Christopher A. Johnson becomes County Legislator replacing Kenneth W. Jenkins.


A version of this article first appeared in the December-January issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews

About Mary Alice Franklin

Mary Alice Franklin is ArtsWestchester’s Communications Manager and Editor of ArtsNews. She has a Bachelors in English and Masters in Publishing, and has been published in Paste Magazine, HuffPost, Art Zealous, Art Times, and more.