ArtsWestchester Announces Seven Notable Honorees to Receive 2021 Arts Awards

ArtsWestchester Announces Seven Notable Honorees to Receive 2021 Arts Awards

April Virtual Event to Spotlight Individuals and Organizations
Who Have Enriched the Cultural Life of the County

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (March 9, 2021) – ArtsWestchester today announced seven individuals and organizations who will be honored at its annual Arts Awards Celebration to be held virtually on Wednesday, April 7 at 6pm.

Spanning a range of disciplines, the 2021 Arts Award Winners are: Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Benjamin Boykin II of White Plains; Vinnie Bagwell of Yonkers; Dr. Judith Schwartz of Armonk; The Village of Sleepy Hollow Wishing Wall; The Westchester Chordsmen of White Plains; the Jazz Forum Arts Jitterbugs Program of Tarrytown; and photographer Elijah Goodwin of Tarrytown.

“The arts are very much alive in Westchester thanks to the dedication of area artists and arts organizations over this last year, creating virtual ways of delivering on their missions during the pandemic with invaluable support from arts patrons. ArtsWestchester celebrates the vision and commitment of the brightest stars in Westchester’s cultural community at its Arts Award Celebration annually,” explains Janet T. Langsam, ArtsWestchester CEO. “I congratulate our 2021 Arts Award honorees for their vital work in the arts and for their cultural leadership. They are part of the creative heart and soul that makes Westchester such a great place to live and work. And, they will be a critical part of the recovery of New York’s economy.”

The 2021 Arts Award winners are:

The President’s Award:
Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Benjamin Boykin: An esteemed government leader who has been a champion for the arts. (Resident of White Plains, NY)

Emily & Eugene Grant Arts Patron Award Honoree:
Dr. Judith Schwartz: A professor, curator, artist and collector, who lives and breathes the arts, especially the ceramic arts. (Resident of Armonk, NY)

Community Award Honoree:
The Village of Sleepy Hollow Wishing Wall: An ambitious mural project that brought the community together around the Hudson River. (Sleepy Hollow, NY)

Artist Award Honoree:
Vinnie Bagwell: An American sculptor who has created “The Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden” in Yonkers among other projects. (Resident of Yonkers, NY)

Arts Organization Award Honoree:
The Westchester Chordsmen: A renowned male chorus dedicated to the singing of a cappella music.
(White Plains, NY)

Sophia Abeles Education Award Honoree:
Jazz Forum Arts- Jitterbugs Program: A family music program bringing jazz to a new generation.
(Tarrytown, NY)

Lawrence Salley Photography Awardee:
Elijah Goodwin: A talented photographer with a passion for nature and science. (Resident of Tarrytown, NY)

Leaders from the county’s civic, arts, and business communities will gather to celebrate the stellar accomplishments of these honorees during ArtsWestchester’s Annual Arts Awards Celebration on Wednesday, April 7 at 6pm. For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads or questions please visit: artsw.org/artsaward or contact Ann Fabrizio at afabrizio@artswestchester.org or 914-428-4220 ext. 326.

Photos of the honorees may be downloaded at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/artswestchester/albums/72157718574625127

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.

Contact: Ernie Garcia, ernie@thompson-bender.com

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 on Mamaroneck Avenue.