by Randy Williams, Art Department Chair at Manhattanville College The balancing act for contemporary artists is complicated; they must be relevant to the narrative of art history while embracing the themes of current trends. This challenge is compounded by an inescapable need for the artist to promote their self-interest…
In April 2019, the world watched in horror as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was engulfed in flames, its iconic spire tipping to its demise. Its repair seems unbelievable, but it has happened before. In the 19th century, the Cathedral was in such a state of disrepair after the Napoleonic Wars that it was almost demolished – until Victor Hugo wrote Notre Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and the building was resurrected to its former glory. Now people are clamoring to achieve the same goal once again – to rebuild the national treasure. However, as years shift, techniques advance and change, and once-standard materials become obsolete, the process has proven a difficult task. On March 5, Alliance Française in White Plains will host a lecture that will address some of these challenges.
The group show is the backbone of the art world. From the Paris Salon of the 18th century, to the Biennials and art fairs of the 21st century, artists have benefitted from being part of a broader conversation about art and of being shown alongside their peers. Sometimes these ensemble casts are juried. Sometimes curated. Cuts are made to fit a space or to hone a theme. ArtsWestchester’s exhibition program is built on curated thematic group shows, featuring Hudson Valley region artists whose works advance thoughtfulness about topics that resonate within the community. In recent years, the organization has explored themes such as the contemporary immigrant experience, the construction of gender identity, life in the age of data, and the current state of voting rights in America. For many of these projects, ArtsWestchester’s curatorial department circulates calls for submissions or nominations, seeking uncovered existing works and visions for new works.
A collection of movie reviews and opinions from Marsha Gordon, President/CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. When she is not advocating for business, building the economy or creating job opportunities, you can find her at the movie theatre enjoying many different film genres.
This past weekend, energetic dancers in vibrant and colorful costumes performed patriotic and folk dances from various regions of India, swishing and twirling on stage. Their feet beat to the tunes of well-known folk songs, as well as modern Bollywood music. Musicians graced the stage with sitar, tabla, and other instruments as singers sang beautifully. It was all in the name of the Republic of India.
Recommendations of where to go and what to hear in Westchester in September 2019 by award-winning music journalist, author and radio producer Frank Matheis. Matheis is a regular contributor to “Living Blues Magazine” and has an eclectic musical taste that covers the gamut of music from Americana to Zydeco, from Jazz to World Music.
While checking items off of their holiday gift lists, shoppers can also take in some of the colorful art that adorns Westchester’s local shopping centers. Developers are more and more frequently enlivening their streetscapes by bringing public art to community spaces for local visitors to enjoy. These projects are becoming a priority during significant site renovations.
Access to art and means of artistic expression may sometimes seem like a given but, to many, the idea of participating in an activity like an instructional dance class can be a daunting task. The majority of dance classes are not suited to accommodate a student in a wheelchair or people with developmental and intellectual differences. However, there are increasingly more institutions that are dedicating time and resources to supporting inclusive spaces and programs. One prime example is Steffi Nossen School of Dance, which is supported by a grant from ArtsWestchester.
Creative shoppers can save Amazon and the department stores for another day. Instead, gift shops that are housed by Westchester’s local museums and arts organizations present opportunities for holiday shopping that results in one-of-a-kind memorable gifts. For arts lovers, it will be money well spent when proceeds support exhibitions, educational programs, and also artists. Here are some of ArtsWestchester’s picks…
There are only a handful of venues in the New York Metropolitan area that have featured jazz for forty years. Even the earliest incarnation of Jazz at Lincoln Center as a summer program did not debut until 1987. Yet in 1980, Reverend Clinton C. Glenn, Jr. hatched the idea for a Jazz Vespers service in the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon, which eventually moved into the parish hall and formed PJS Jazz Society (PJS). Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, PJS has been presenting about eight concerts per year ever since. Better yet, it has become a jazz institution in the Westchester community.
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