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The Annual Arts Awards Luncheon

The 2005 honorees were:

Artists:
Harvey Breverman -Since arriving in Buffalo in 1961 Breverman has achieved excellence as a visual artist, professor and as a mentor. His work has appeared in more then 80 solo exhibitions in 12 counties and his work is included in the collections of 150 museums and galleries worldwide. He has received many honors including grants and awards from the Tiffany Foundation, The New York State Council on The Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He has also received numerous honors for his talent
as distinguished professor and teacher. He is currently the head of the
Print Making Department at the University of Buffalo. which he established
and is co -director of ePIC (the Experimental Print Imaging Center.)

Thomas Ralabate - a UB professor of Dance and the director of Zodiaque
Dance Company. In his thirty year career as a dancer and teacher he has developed a reputation for excellence both locally and nationally. His own impressive list of international awards is only shadowed by his success as a teacher, evidenced by the number of his students who have gone on to Broadway. He secured the 1999 and 2000 Jazz Dance Congress bringing nearly 1,800 dance artists to Buffalo unprecedented in the history of the congress. He has been awarded the Buffalo Ambassador award twice and has also received the Jazz Dance Congress Angel award for global contribution to elevating
Jazz dance. As the director of Zodiaque he has choreographed over 80 works of Dance. In his 30 year association with Zodiaque it has been labeled not only as a progressive and inspirational dance organization, but has been an instrumental force for charity in Western New York as well.

Art Administrator:
Since 1998 Susan Przybyl has been the Executive Director of the Kenan Center. Her passion for the arts is framed in 25 years as an artist, performer and teacher. She has established herself now as an administrative force strengthening The KenanÍs 35 year old reputation by stabilizing the Center financially by expanding funding sources, and strategic planning. In two years she has established an arts-in-education program that has served 4000 students and teachers and has in her term, collaborated with such
organizations as the Globe Theater and the YWCA. She has focused her attentions not only on her the Kenan Center but has fostered communication and collaboration to expand tourism and participation in arts and culture across the counties of Western New York. Her list of demonstrated leadership in the arts includes posts with Fredonia State, and Buffalo State College Performing Arts Center as well as the World University Games.

Arts Organization:
The Alleyway Theater under the Artistic direction of Neal Radice is
celebrating its 25th year of presenting new works in a professional setting.
Each full season of world premiers gives playwrights a valuable opportunity
to see their work produced with professional actors and fully realized
production values. The theater space is intimate and has also allowed many
local actors to develop their own skills. Alleyway has also lead the way in
the creation of community building, spearheading such events as Curtain Up
and numerous education and school connecting theater activities Alleyway
hosts both Kidshowco and PandoraÍs box. Major effort has also been seen in
the establishment and renovation of the Upper West Side Arts Center, a venue
that will house new and established production companies. Alleyway has a
unique and courageous mission among theaters in Western New York by
dedicating itself to showcasing new plays.

Business Supporter:
Crowley Webb and Associates, one of Western New YorkÍs prime marketing and
communications agencies had played a vital and pivotal role in the success
of many of the areaÍs arts and cultural organizations. By taking a hands-on
approach, this special agency has helped build audience and awareness for
such organizations as Irish Classical Theatre Company, The Albright Knox Art
Gallery, The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, the Buffalo Olmsted
Parks Conservancy and the Buffalo Museum of Science. In all of their
creative marketing they have displayed a level of excellence in design and
execution worthy of national graphic awards and with an overwhelming amount
of work has been done on a pro bono basis.

Supporter/Advocate of the Arts :
Mary Kate OÍConnell a mainstay of BuffaloÍs theater community has not only
established a reputation for excellence in entertainment as an Actor and
with her 7 year old theater producing organization, OÍConnell & Co., but
has also used her influence, dynamic personality and her talent to raise
over $150,000 for local charity organizations. She has been personally
dedicated to WomenÍs and ChildrenÍs Charities for years and her company
supports them as part of their mission. She has received numerous honors and
awards as a community leader including Outstanding Business Woman of the
year, WomenÍs Interclub Council named her Outstanding Woman 2004, She has
received numerous Artvoice Artie awards for performance, direction and
production.

Knox Award for Lifetime Achievement:
Warren Enters' history in Buffalo began in 1968 when he began his teaching
position at Buffalo State College as well as taking a position as associate
Director at Studio Arena Theater.
Before coming to Buffalo, Mr. Enters had received numerous awards including
a Tony Award for his production of the Thieves Carnival stage in New York.
He has worked with countless professional Actors including Alan Alda and
Helen Hayes. His own accomplishments as a director are embellished by the
legacy of his students that have gone on to greatness, including Tom Fontana
(Writer of St. Elsewhere and Oz, -- Plus four Peabody Awards, three Emmys
and one Cable Ace Award), Diane English (Murphy Brown Creator and Writer --
which was awarded 15 Emmys), others include Shaun McClaughlin (Emmy award
winner for the animated series Batman Beyond, recently featured in Buffalo
Spree Magazine) and Peter Michael Marino (Stomp, -- co-Produced and wrote
his own comedy -Hollywood Nurses- off Broadway) There are a host of former
students locally and nationally who continue to excel in the theater and
performing arts and other areas because of Mr. Enters and the fine team of
faculty with him during his tenure at Buffalo State College.

Call Erin Sharkey at 856-7520 with any questions you may have or email her Erin.Sharkey@artscouncilbuffalo.org. We look forward to seeing you 2006!
 

Click here for photos from the reception of last year's Arts Awards at UB's Allen Hall/WBFO 88.7FM and photos from the Luncheon at the Convention Center.

Yearly the Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership hold a celebration for those who create, excel in, and support the arts in Western New York and beyond. The areas of  recognition are:

Outstanding Individual Artist
Outstanding Business Supporter
Outstanding Philanthropic Supporter

The Arts Awards program was started in 1985. Its purpose is to celebrate the arts in our area, and to provide recognition to artists and arts organizations that have excelled in their work and mission. It is also a platform for local business communities to be involved in the arts as well as help the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County advance its mission. 

Each year nominations are solicited from the community and forwarded to a selection committee. The selection committee is comprised of past honorees and individuals representing the diverse interests of the community, and who have extensive experience and involvement with artists and arts groups. Artists, arts organizations, arts administrators, businesses and arts supporters of all descriptions from office volunteers, technical and production staff, to major financial patrons, can be nominated in one of the following categories: Individual Artist/Arts Administrator, Arts/Cultural Organization, Business Supporter and Arts Supporter.

Nomination forms are available in August or September.  Please check our website or contact the Arts Council directly at (716) 856-7520 for a nomination form.

Previous Honorees

The Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, Erie County, Artvoice, East Hill Foundation, Goodyear Foundation, Hahn Foundation, Hodgson Russ, LLP, HSBC, KeyBank, Knox Foundation, Lamar Advertising, M & T Bank, Progressive Direct Marketing, The Buffalo News, The Buffalo Niagara Partnership, The Summit Federal Credit Union, Rich Products, Time Warner, Univera, Verizon, WBFO FM 88.7, WIVBTV Channel 7, Zeron Foundation, artists, arts organizations, individuals, special events and membership fees.