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The gala was held at the Westchester Pavilion in White Plains. Ring is the managing director of Enterprising Banking at First Niagara Bank. He was honored along with the bank, as both have been exemplary supporters of ArtsWestchester.
As secretary of ArtsWestchester’s Board of Trustees, Ring has played a prominent role in its strategic planning process and in its efforts to build community awareness of the economic and intrinsic value of the arts.
ArtsWestchester also honored honored board members and their spouses for their unique contributions to the arts in Westchester and their collective generosity of spirit. Honorees included:
- Froma Benerofe, who is dedicated to the arts in all of its forms and leader of ArtsWestchester’s grants committee, and Andrew Benerofe who chairs the ArtsWestchester golf outing.
- Lawrence C. Salley, who guides ArtsWestchester through the labyrinth of government relations and shares his love of the arts through his incredible photography, and Sondra Salley.
- Joseph P. Oates, Senior Vice President, Business Shared Services at Con Edison, who has led the organization as treasurer and then president, serving more than 10 years on ArtsWestchester’s board, and Ellen Oates.
The gala transformed an unusual space --– what was once a Daffy’s retail store – into an elegant and chic locale. The imagery of graceful and expressive dancers captured the evening’s “On the Move” theme. The room was draped in lush fabrics and pastel hues, and reflected the creative fluidity of a dancer’s movements.
More than 500 guests enjoyed wining, dining and dancing to live music and entertainment while recognizing the honorees. There was also a high-tech silent auction in which guests could bid on prizes ranging from luxurious vacations to sports memorabilia and beautiful jewelry.
“This gala is the single most important ArtsWestchester’s fundraising event of the year,” said Dinner Chair Robert Wiener, Chairman of MAXX Properties and a member of the ArtsWestchester Board of Trustees. “The arts not only offer economic benefits to the local economy, they provide opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged youngsters, to learn new skills and achieve success in the future. The funds raised at this year’s gala support the arts in our community year-round, by bringing artists into our classrooms, exhibitions into our galleries, performances in our theaters, and tourists into our towns.”
“At ArtsWestchester, we think of the arts as always ‘On the Move,’ changing the way we view our world and generating creativity in the classroom and the workplace,” said ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam. “As an organization, ArtsWestchester is always on the move as well, growing with the artistic pulse of our vibrant community.”
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