Rockland Honors Dedicated Artists

"When times are tough and money is tight, art is priceless," said Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef at the 24th Annual County Executive Arts Awards Thursday night.

The Arts Council of Rockland held the event at the Rockland Community College  Cultural Arts Theater to honor dedicated artists in the area. Six awards were presented out of 32 nominees. Clarkstown North  teacher Patrick Magliano II was nominated for the Arts Educator Award.

There were spectacular performances from the Chiku Awali African Dance group, Shirley Crabbe and the Jamccar Eclipse Steel Drum Band, Rockland Conservatory of Music Orchestra, and Jim West on the piano.

The Chiku Awali Dances represented the triumph of art during times when music and creativity was banned in certain societies. For example, during the apartheid in South Africa, slaves were forbidden to play drums. In return, music was made through bamboo sticks, garbage can lids, biscuit pans, milk cartons, or anything else they could get their hands on. Music is a human instinct; when it is taken away artists will prevail in any way they can.

"Oppressors may kill the composer," stated Crabbe, who narrated the dance, "but they cannot kill the music."

Each of the individuals and organizations honored showed leadership in the community and a contribution to the artistic world. Longtime Rockland journalist and photographer Arthur Gunther won in the category of Visual Arts, Chiku Awali as a dedicated Arts Organization, Alexandreena Dixon as Supporter of the Arts, Maggie Bryant as an Arts Educator, Angelo Parra as a literary artist, and Joe Brancato, artistic director of Penguin Repertory Theatre in Stony Point as a performing artist.

"For me this is one of the most enjoyable nights of the year," said Thomas L. Brizzolara,  director of public affairs at Orange and Rockland Utilities,

"There was such a feeling of unity in the room," stated Demi Moore, a local photographer. "All of the performers, guests, and honorees shared the same artistic sprit. The night was a fantastic gathering of creative minds and spirits. I will be enrolling in ACOR immediately."

 ACOR facilitates and coordinates forums in the arts for the community as well as providing grants in forms of scholarships and art programs to schools in Rockland. 

"The true value of nights like tonight is priceless," stated Vanderhoef, "just like the art celebrated."

The next County Executive Arts Awards will be held on March 24, 2011.