ArtsWestchester Announces Its Gala 2017 Honorees

At its gala event on November 18, ArtsWestchester will celebrate a monumental work of art years in the making: the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Along with Honorary Chairs Ross J. Pepe (President of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley) and Edward Doyle (President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester & Putnam Counties) and Dinner Chair George Troyano (President and Publisher of The Journal News Media Group), the organization will spotlight the bridge’s extraordinary design as well as its capacity to connect communities on both sides of the Hudson River that offer robust arts and cultural offerings. The event will be held at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester in White Plains. ArtsWestchester’s Gala 2017 will honor those innovators and builders who are making this bridge a reality:

New York State Thruway Authority’s Project Director, Jamey Barbas, P.E. (pictured left) is honored for her belief that public works can be works of art. According to Barbas, “designers of civil works should, like artists, aspire to create uplifting, aesthetically pleasing, awe-inspiring works. The new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge spans the great Hudson River with elegance and fits gracefully within the landscape it frames.”

Accepting an award for “The Men and Women Who Built the Bridge” will be Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC President Terry Towle on their behalf of the 7,000 men and women who worked to build a bridge that is both functional and aesthetically inspiring. Towle explains: “Vision and teamwork are key ingredients of a public work project of this scale and importance…. we are proud to be building a critical piece of infrastructure that supports the community and is an iconic piece of public art.”

ArtsWestchester will present Special Appreciation Awards to recognize two individuals who have played a significant role in the success of the New NY Bridge Project. President and CEO of Business Council of Westchester, Dr. Marsha Gordon has a vision for the lower Hudson Valley region that includes promoting the many cultural resources on both sides of the Hudson River. Her leadership, steadfast support and tireless work on behalf of a new Tappan Zee Bridge resulted in the fast-tracking of the New NY Bridge Project. New York State Thruway Authority’s Educational Outreach Coordinator, Andrew P. O’Rourke, Jr. has brought the excitement of the bridge to nearly 60,000 children and their teachers in classrooms in New York State. His educational program helps them to envision the innovative and creative engineering process involved in designing and constructing a bridge. An online gala auction encourages guests to start their holiday shopping early and support the arts by bidding on a selection of one-of-a-kind items through November 9 at biddingforgood.com/artswauction. For tickets to this year’s gala and more info, visit: artsw.org/gala.

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