“50 for 50” ArtsWestchester Awards for Local Winners
2015 is a big year for ArtsWestchester. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary the organization has selected 50 outstanding local artists in a “50 for 50” celebration, who will each receive $1,000 in recognition of their artistic work and contributions to Westchester’s cultural community.
The winners were selected for their impressive mix of work as filmmakers, poets, visual artists, choreographers, composers and performing artists – all of who reside in and/or work in Westchester County, and many of whom are known throughout the world.
From White Plains, Sidra Bell and Bettijane Sills are acknowledged for their work in choreography. Neil Waldman, also of White Plains is being recognized for his work in Visual Arts.
The Emily and Eugene Grant Arts Patron Award for what ArtsWestchester refers to as “quintessential leaders in the fields of arts, culture, and education” will be awarded to Yvonne and Leslie Pollack, of Bedford.
In announcing the awards, Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester said: “To say that Yvonne and Leslie Pollack are extraordinary as a couple is an understatement. Yvonne and Leslie Pollack’s generosity combines passion with compassion and they truly exemplify the spirit of selfless philanthropy.”
“Working artists are the lifeblood of a creative community and we believe it’s important to honor them and recognize their contributions,” Langsam added. “This is especially important for ArtsWestchester in this milestone 50th anniversary year.”
The Pollacks have worked creatively to enhance the reach of institutions they admire by assuming leadership positions. Yvonne Pollack served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Katonah Museum of Art for three years, with several months in the dual role of interim co-director. She is a member of the Westchester Community College Foundation Council, the ArtsWestchester Friends, the Jewish Museum Council and the Katonah Museum of Art, Education and Exhibition committees. During her tenure as an educator, she developed a traveling museum for elementary schools, conducted teacher training workshops, served on the advisory council of the Chappaqua Schools and chaired cultural enrichment for the Chappaqua PTA.
Leslie Pollack has served on the boards of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA), the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS), the New York Association for New Americans (NYANA), and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). In addition to a successful 50-year career on Wall Street, he has had a life-long love of tennis, competing and achieving victory on grass courts with his daughter in 2003.
The awards will be conferred at the 2015 Arts Awards Luncheon to be held on Thursday, April 16 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown.
