The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) today named the founders of the Westport Artists’ Collective as a winner of its Inaugural 2016 ACE (Arts & Culture Empowerment) Awards.
Westport Artists’ Collective founders include (l-r) Jahmane West, Tammy Winser, Helen Klisser During, Miggs Burroughs, Duvian Montoya, and Nina Bentley .(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
The founders, whose work includes organizing pop up art shows at the Westport Arts Center, include Duvian Montoya, Nina Bentley, Miggs Burroughs, Tammy Winser, Helen Klisser During, and Jahmane West.
Winners in the ACE Award, Artist category, they were recognized “for encouraging the careers and talents of local artists and contributing to our diverse artistic community,” an announcement said.
Other winners include: ACE Award, Nonprofit: Lou Ursone, executive and artistic director of Curtain Call, Inc.(Kweskin Theatre/Dressing Room Theatre), in Stamford. The organization provides a consistent outlet for artistic expression while entertaining the general public and providing a safe and nurturing environment for learning.
ACE Award, Corporate: Bank of America, a leading supporter of the arts and sponsor of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Giving Day, in which 24 percent of donations in 2016 went to arts and cultural organizations.
ACE Award, Educator: The Bruce Museum, in Greenwich, for its exemplary work in arts and science education (Deputy Director and Interim Director of Education, Susan Ball).
ACE Award, Citizen: Richard J. Wenning, executive director of the BeFoundation, a private foundation devoted to dramatic improvement in the educational outcomes of disadvantaged students in Connecticut. Wenning is also cofounder of SpreadMusicNow, an organization dedicated to transforming students lives through funding music programs that foster continual learning.
Recipients will be honored at the ACE award breakfast on Thursday, May 19, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Shore and Country Club in Norwalk.
Keynote speaker will be Westporter Arthur Levitt, the 25th and longest serving chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and former chair of the American Stock Exchange, with an introduction by Karen Brooks Hopkins, president emeritus of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and current senior fellow in residence at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Tony Award-winning actor and singer James Naughton of Weston will serve as the master of ceremonies. Tickets for the breakfast and raffle are on sale here.
Norwalk-based Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County supports cultural organizations, artists and creative businesses in Fairfield County through marketing, professional development and advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.CulturalAllianceFC.org.
