A New Take on the Group Show
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A New Take on the Group Show

The group show is the backbone of the art world. From the Paris Salon of the 18th century, to the Biennials and art fairs of the 21st century, artists have benefitted from being part of a broader conversation about art and of being shown alongside their peers. Sometimes these ensemble casts are juried. Sometimes curated. Cuts are made to fit a space or to hone a theme. ArtsWestchester’s exhibition program is built on curated thematic group shows, featuring Hudson Valley region artists whose works advance thoughtfulness about topics that resonate within the community. In recent years, the organization has explored themes such as the contemporary immigrant experience, the construction of gender identity, life in the age of data, and the current state of voting rights in America. For many of these projects, ArtsWestchester’s curatorial department circulates calls for submissions or nominations, seeking uncovered existing works and visions for new works.

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India Center of Westchester Celebrates Republic Day of India

This past weekend, energetic dancers in vibrant and colorful costumes performed patriotic and folk dances from various regions of India, swishing and twirling on stage. Their feet beat to the tunes of well-known folk songs, as well as modern Bollywood music. Musicians graced the stage with sitar, tabla, and other instruments as singers sang beautifully. It was all in the name of the Republic of India.

Must-See Public Art: The Public Art Trend in Shopping Centers

Must-See Public Art: The Public Art Trend in Shopping Centers

While checking items off of their holiday gift lists, shoppers can also take in some of the colorful art that adorns Westchester’s local shopping centers. Developers are more and more frequently enlivening their streetscapes by bringing public art to community spaces for local visitors to enjoy. These projects are becoming a priority during significant site renovations.

Anyone Can Dance… and Everyone Should

Anyone Can Dance… and Everyone Should

Access to art and means of artistic expression may sometimes seem like a given but, to many, the idea of participating in an activity like an instructional dance class can be a daunting task. The majority of dance classes are not suited to accommodate a student in a wheelchair or people with developmental and intellectual differences. However, there are increasingly more institutions that are dedicating time and resources to supporting inclusive spaces and programs. One prime example is Steffi Nossen School of Dance, which is supported by a grant from ArtsWestchester.

Holiday Shopping? Try a Museum.
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Holiday Shopping? Try a Museum.

Creative shoppers can save Amazon and the department stores for another day. Instead, gift shops that are housed by Westchester’s local museums and arts organizations present opportunities for holiday shopping that results in one-of-a-kind memorable gifts. For arts lovers, it will be money well spent when proceeds support exhibitions, educational programs, and also artists. Here are some of ArtsWestchester’s picks…

40 Years of Jazz for the Body and Soul

40 Years of Jazz for the Body and Soul

There are only a handful of venues in the New York Metropolitan area that have featured jazz for forty years. Even the earliest incarnation of Jazz at Lincoln Center as a summer program did not debut until 1987. Yet in 1980, Reverend Clinton C. Glenn, Jr. hatched the idea for a Jazz Vespers service in the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon, which eventually moved into the parish hall and formed PJS Jazz Society (PJS). Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, PJS has been presenting about eight concerts per year ever since. Better yet, it has become a jazz institution in the Westchester community.

Lining Up for The Nutcracker
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Lining Up for The Nutcracker

When The Nutcracker premiered in Russia in 1892, it was arguably a flop. Mixed reviews picked apart the casting, scene transitions, choreography and even Tchaikovsky’s score. By the 1960s, it gained popularity in the United States, largely due to New York City Ballet (NYCB)’s iteration of the ballet, choreographed by George Balanchine. Today, The Nutcracker is often viewed as the quintessential story of wonderment and holiday cheer. Film house screenings, live dance productions, a marionette show and family-friendly adaptations throughout the County are all on the calendar for December.

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