Clay Art Center Honors Reena Kashyap, Founding Director

A press release from CAC: On Thursday, October 17th, The Clay Art Center’s Board of Directors honored Founding Director Reena Kashyap at their sixth annual fundraiser, Hand-in-Hand: Celebrating Clay & Community, which was held at the Community Synagogue of Rye.  The event raised over $100,000 and a record 247 guests gathered to help CAC almost double last year’s fundraising record. All proceeds will benefit Clay Art Center's community arts outreach programs, scholarships to under-served youth and the Artist-in-Residence program. Kashyap was honored for her legacy of exceptional leadership and vision which has made CAC’s bright future possible.

A special highlight of the evening was CAC's special guest, ArtsWestchester's CEO Janet Langsam, who commented on the impact that Clay Art Center has had on the community and the effect that Reena's commitment and passion has had on the arts in Westchester. Guests enjoyed sitar music by Ravi Rao, extraordinary ceramics and items featured at the silent auction, a live auction and fund the mission auctioneered by NYS Senator George Latimer, delicious food served by sixteen local restaurants including Acuario, Alba, Andrea’s 24, Bartaco, Brisa Marina Bar & Grill, Café Mirage, Edo, Famous Greek Kitchen, Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse, Gaucho Grill, Kneaded Bread, Tandoori, Turkish Meze, Wobble Café and ZeppoleMe as well as a special flash mob Bollywood–style dance just for the honoree.  The total amount raised that evening was due to ticket sales, silent & live auction sales, fund the mission donations and journal advertisements. The funds raised this year will assist CAC in reaching its goal of helping even more individuals from our community by bringing meaningful art making into their lives. 

A video depicting how Reena’s leadership, vision and energy has taken the Clay Art Center from a failing business to a thriving one, and the many artists and people in the community she has touched along the way, was viewed for the first time during the evening.  See it by clicking here! 

 The CLAY ART CENTER (CAC) is a 501(c)(3) not-profit organization whose mission is to kindle passion for the ceramic arts and to nurture a community in which that passion flourishes. Guided by a strong belief in the power of the arts to touch and enrich our lives, the Center has, for more than 50 years, offered a stimulating space for studio practice, solo and group exhibitions in its Gallery, artist residencies, and clay classes and workshops for adults and children. The Center has a very active community arts program and outreach to underserved communities throughout Westchester County. It is located at 40 Beech Street in Port Chester, and offers year round, day and evening classes and workshops for adults and children, artist studios, a gallery with changing exhibitions and a pottery shop featuring handmade ceramic objects.  The Gallery and shop are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

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