ArtsWestchester Announces 2017 ArtsBash Weekend: May 19 and 20

Creative Cuisine Tastings by Top Chefs, Open Artist Studios, a Dynamic Graffiti Art Exhibit and Kids Arts Activities All Offered

ArtsWestchester has announced this year’s Annual ArtsBash Weekend, a spring fundraiser that includes an exclusive ArtsBash party on Friday, May 19, followed by Family ArtsBash celebration on Saturday, May 20.

This year’s ArtsBash fundraising party on Friday, May 19 is open to the public and will feature food from more than 25 prestigious restaurants, cocktails, as well as the opportunity to meet artists in their open studios throughout ArtsWestchester’s historic downtown White Plains building. Leslie Lampert of Café of Love and John Crabtree of Crabtree’s Kittle House have been appointed to the ArtsBash Cuisine Committee and will give lead direction on the food offerings.

In addition, the gallery’s newest exhibit, “From the Streets: An Exhibition of Urban Art,” will provide the backdrop of the event, displaying graffiti murals, photography, sculptures and mixed media street art for all to enjoy.

“This not-to-be-missed experience provides a creative combination of food and art and is especially thrilling this year because of the unique work that highlights the evolution of graffiti and street art, celebrating some the region’s most recognized street artists,” said Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester. “Our artists will open their studios to the public and top restaurateurs will elevate the experience with a creative take on cuisine. We encourage everyone to come out to celebrate resident arts and enjoy a great party!”

Some of the new dining destinations participating in this year’s Friday evening ArtsBash include Meritage Restaurant, Texas de Brazil and Pick n Roll Soul. The following is a complete list of participating restaurateurs for the event:

  • Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
  • Baked by Susan
  • Cathy’s Biscotti
  • Coffee Labs Roasters
  • Coopers Mill at Westchester Marriott
  • G&K Sweet Foods
  • Gristmill Distillers
  • Half Time Beverage
  • Joseph Richard Florals
  • La Bocca
  • License2Grill
  • Lulu Cake Boutique
  • Meritage Restaurant
  • Mix Cocktail Bar + Kitchen at Crowne Plaza
  • Mozzarella4u
  • Oasis Day Spa
  • Penny Lick Ice Cream Company
  • Pick n Roll Soul
  • Potayto-Potahto
  • Snap Bar Photo
  • Sofrito
  • Texas de Brazil
  • The Yerba Project
  • Top Chef Meals/Crystal Spoon
  • Tre Angelina
  • Wolffer Estate

About the 2017 ArtsBash Cuisine chairs:

Leslie Lampert of White Plains, executive chef/owner of Café of Love and Ladle of Love in Mt. Kisco, has been talking with her mouth full for more than 30 years. As Senior Editor at Ladies’ Home Journal magazine, she produced and wrote scores of food articles and spent countless hours in the test kitchen developing recipes for more than 17 million readers.  She has also written dozens of articles on food and lifestyle for many national magazines including TIME, The New York Times, Parents, House Beautiful, and Glamour among others. Leslie appeared frequently on television as a lifestyle expert including The Today Show, CNN and CBS’s 48 Hours. Her 12-year-old, award-winning, locally-sourced, take-out shop, Ladle of Love, inspired the launch of Cafe of Love in 2008. The Cafe’s seasonally-driven menu and community-minded philosophies support local growers and farmers, and features the freshest ingredients from neighborhood farms.

John Crabtree of Pound Ridge is the owner of Crabtree’s Kittle House. Since 1981, the Kittle House has been owned and operated by the Crabtree family, who returned the House to its former glory through extensive renovations and enhancements, including the beautification of the grounds, the expansion of the Atrium Dining Room, and the transformation of the former stables into an award-winning wine cellar. The most recent and exciting changes at Crabtree’s Kittle House include a striking redesign by Christan P. Arkay-Leliever of KMS Team. With a mindful use of ecological materials and thoughtful attention to detail, the House exudes a quiet elegance, befitting its charmed past.

The day after the ArtsBash party, families and children of all ages are encouraged to participate in a day of fun at Family ArtsBash on Saturday, May 20, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Kids can partake in a variety of hands-on art activities and artist-led workshops. Activities include a chocolate art-making activity, drumming circles, clay and felt making workshops, spin art and more.

Family ArtsBash also features an opportunity for families to explore ArtsWestchester’s exhibition of urban art. Additionally, resident artists will once again open their studios to the public making the event a unique opportunity for children to meet professional painters, sculptors, printers and more who create artwork throughout ArtsWestchester’s building.

The 2017 ArtsBash Weekend celebration will take place on Friday, May 19 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at ArtsWestchester in White Plains. In addition, Family ArtsBash will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 1-5pm. Tickets to the Friday evening reception are $75 and are available online at artsw.org/artsbash or at the door Friday evening. For Family ArtsBash, there is a suggested family donation of $10.

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 create an equitable, inclusive, vibrant and sustainable Westchester County in which the arts are integral to and integrated into every facet of life. 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. artsw.org