Westchester News in Brief

Free Tours for Tarrytown Residents at Lyndhurst Mansion

In an effort to introduce or reacquaint local residents to a local historical gem, Lyndhurst Mansion will open its doors to Tarrytown residents for free tours on Thursdays and Fridays from April through September. Visitors will see 16 rooms of the 1838 Gothic Revival style mansion, including the parlor, Victorian dining room and Grand Picture Gallery. Also on view is a collection of 10,000 pieces, including Tiffany windows and furniture by Alexander Jackson Davis, as well as railroad baron Jay Gould’s collection of 19th century French paintings. Individual Tarrytown residents should show a valid ID at the Lyndhurst Welcome Center. Local Tarrytown community groups and organizations are welcome to schedule group tours during the season. For more info, visit: lyndhurst.org.

The Hudson Valley Music Club Announces Winners of 2017 Student Awards

The Hudson Valley Music Club has announced four winners for its 2017 Student Awards, an annual competition for high school students living in, or attending school in, Westchester County. The winners will display their talents during an April 24 concert at the Dobbs Ferry Woman’s Club. The winners are: Mizuki Hayakawa of Scarsdale (cello), Benjamin Spector of Pelham (cello), Vishnu Srinivas of Scarsdale (piano) and Stephanie Tateiwa of Harrison (alto saxophone). Honorable Mentions were awarded to Alex Gemme of Hastings-on-Hudson (flute) and Deborah Zhang of Scarsdale (cello). Winners were chosen during an open call competition in March. For further information, please call 914-725-1203.

Grant and Initiatives to Honor Author E. L. Doctorow

The Doctorow Legacy Initiative in New Rochelle, along with Helen Doctorow and New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, recently announced a $125,000 grant from New York State that will support the Initiative’s programs honoring E. L. Doctorow. The acclaimed author and former New Rochelle resident wrote best-selling historical fiction novels including The March and Ragtime. Alongside the announcement, sculptor Derek Chalfant’s proposal was introduced as the winner of an international RFP for a sculpture of the author, which will be displayed in the City. The committee has also supported a Heritage Award designation for Doctorow’s former house, as well as the creation of educational programs in local schools. For more info, visit: newrochellearts.org.

ArtsWestchester Among Hundreds at Arts Advocacy Day

Hundreds of arts advocates from across the country recently convened in Washington D.C. last month for Americans for the Arts’ 30th annual National Arts Action Summit, often referred to as Arts Advocacy Day. ArtsWestchester staff members, Gallery Director Kathleen Reckling and Programs Assistant Lauren Brady, were among those who attended. Arts Advocacy Day brings a wide range of cultural organizations together to network and receive advocacy training from professionals in the field. Reckling and Brady met with the staff members from the offices of several Senators and U.S. Representatives in order to discuss the value of arts education, sustained funding for National Endowment for the Arts and the CREATE act, which ensures the longevity of creative industries. For more info on how you can encourage your local politicians to support the arts, visit Americans for the Arts’ Action Center: artsactionfund.org.

A version of this article first appeared in the April 2017 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews. 

Image above: (photo courtesy of Lyndhurst Mansion)