This past Friday night, The West Haven Council on the Arts presented “Westies” to ten patrons of the arts who have been instrumental in moving arts in our community forward. The Westie is and award that WHCA designed to honor outstanding arts support and progression. From rallying support in government to showing up at art events, press conferences and City Council meetings, this first group of recipients honors the arts, the West Haven Council on the Arts and the people of West Haven through the creation of the West Haven Cultural Arts Center. Their support has been invaluable to the process of educating the community and growing the arts.
The event, Arts & All That Jazz, was held on November 6th, 2009, at the Savin Rock Conference Center from 7pm to 9pm.
The recipients were (in no particular order):
Bill Riccio, Editor, West Haven Voice
Thomas Reilly, Housing Specialist
Attorney Win Smith
Eileen Buckheit, Commissioner of Planning & Development
Councilperson Edward O’Brien
Councilperson Tracy Morrissey
Yale University
Governor Jodi Rell
Senator Gayle Slossberg
Mayor John Picard
The evening began with a cocktail hour and heavy hors d’oeuvres accompanied by Jazz music which was followed by a short award ceremony. Paul Scanlon, President of the WHCA, acted as Master of Ceremonies and spoke a little about each recipient’s contribution to the arts in West Haven. With the assistance of Vice-president Rosemary O’Brien, he then presented them or their representative with an engraved statuette. The event was relaxed and casual for everyone who attended. However, all were left in shock and awe when the final recipient of the evening, Mayor John Picard, made a presentation of his own, a check for $25,000. The donation was a gift from Bayer Pharmaceuticals that the mayor was saving as a surprise. And surprise, he did.
The West Haven Council on the Arts would like to thank all of its members who participated in making this evening a success. From our bartenders, Lucy Anne and Jeff Criscuolo, to our photographer, Caitlin Morrissey, to Barth McNeil, who designed the music selections - each member of the WHCA Events Committee that participated helped to make the evening a great time for everyone.
Photos will be posted to this blog as soon as possible. We simply wanted to take the time to thank everyone in a timely manner and to congratulate them on being presented with our first Westie Awards.
The event, Arts & All That Jazz, was held on November 6th, 2009, at the Savin Rock Conference Center from 7pm to 9pm.
The recipients were (in no particular order):
Bill Riccio, Editor, West Haven Voice
Thomas Reilly, Housing Specialist
Attorney Win Smith
Eileen Buckheit, Commissioner of Planning & Development
Councilperson Edward O’Brien
Councilperson Tracy Morrissey
Yale University
Governor Jodi Rell
Senator Gayle Slossberg
Mayor John Picard
The evening began with a cocktail hour and heavy hors d’oeuvres accompanied by Jazz music which was followed by a short award ceremony. Paul Scanlon, President of the WHCA, acted as Master of Ceremonies and spoke a little about each recipient’s contribution to the arts in West Haven. With the assistance of Vice-president Rosemary O’Brien, he then presented them or their representative with an engraved statuette. The event was relaxed and casual for everyone who attended. However, all were left in shock and awe when the final recipient of the evening, Mayor John Picard, made a presentation of his own, a check for $25,000. The donation was a gift from Bayer Pharmaceuticals that the mayor was saving as a surprise. And surprise, he did.
The West Haven Council on the Arts would like to thank all of its members who participated in making this evening a success. From our bartenders, Lucy Anne and Jeff Criscuolo, to our photographer, Caitlin Morrissey, to Barth McNeil, who designed the music selections - each member of the WHCA Events Committee that participated helped to make the evening a great time for everyone.
Photos will be posted to this blog as soon as possible. We simply wanted to take the time to thank everyone in a timely manner and to congratulate them on being presented with our first Westie Awards.
