(L to R) Rachel M. Simon, Flor Bromley, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Shelley B. Mayer, ShanelleTheArtist, Estelle Messina Bikibili, Janet Langsam, Jessy Mendez
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Shelley B. Mayer, and ArtsWestchester hosted a Celebration of Women’s Art and Cultural Expressions on March 23, in honor of Women’s History Month.
Community members from throughout Westchester came to watch performances by four remarkable female artists and to listen to a panel discussion on women’s art, inspiration, and challenges.
Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Mayer, and ArtsWestcheser welcomed four artists: Estelle Messina Bikibili (Stella the Artiste), a Motown/Soul singer and pianist; Flor Bromley, a Latin singer/songwriter; Rachel M. Simon, a poet; and Shanelle Watts (ShanelleTheArtist), a spoken word artist.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “It was wonderful to host a Celebration of Women’s Art and Cultural Expressions in honor of Women’s History Month. In celebrating Women’s History Month, we honor the resilience, creativity, and indomitable spirit of women throughout history. In Westchester and throughout New York State, we have a rich tapestry of artistic expression surrounding us, and events like these serve as reminders of the impact that art has on our lives. I extend my thanks to our four phenomenal artists for their captivating performances, and to my co-hosts, Senator Shelley Mayer and ArtsWestchester.”
Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I was happy to host this special celebration of art and culture in honor of Women’s History Month. In Westchester, we are so fortunate to have beautiful forms of art all around us, much of it thanks to ArtsWestchester. It is important that we uplift female voices in our community and share experiences with one another through art. I thank Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and ArtsWestchester for co-hosting this event and I thank the four incredible performers for sharing their work with the community.”
Janet Langsam, Chief Executive Officer of ArtsWestchester, said, “I was honored to co-host this event to elevate women artist’s creative work with Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Shelley Mayer. It is important to ArtsWestchester to make safe spaces for artist’s voices to be shared and to be heard. Art is honest and true because artists, so often, get to the heart of the matter through their expressions. Whether through music, poetry, dance or painting, art connects us and brings people together.”
