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.
Emily & Eugene Grant Arts Patron Award Honoree: Dr. Judith Schwartz: A professor, curator, artist and collector, who lives and breathes the arts.
Community Award Honoree: The Village of Sleepy Hollow Wishing Wall: An ambitious mural project that focused around the Hudson River.
Artist Award Honoree: Vinnie Bagwell: An American sculptor who has created “The Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden” in Yonkers. Bagwell will receive a 2021 Arts Award for her creation, The Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden” in Yonkers. Mayor Mike Spano highlighted the upcoming additon to Yonkers, expected this fall. Learn more about Bagwell at vinniebagwell.com and at enslavedafricansraingarden.org.
Arts Organization Award Honoree: The Westchester Chordsmen: A renowned male chorus dedicated to the singing of a cappella music.
Sophia Abeles Education Award Honoree: Jazz Forum Arts- Jitterbugs Program: A family music program bringing jazz to a new generation.
Lawrence Salley Photography Awardee: Elijah Goodwin: A talented photographer with a passion for nature and science.
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.