I am beyond thrilled to be the recipient of the Arts Westchester's 2023 Larry Salley Photography award that recognizes Hudson Valley-based photographers with a significant body of work of outstanding artistic merit.
The seeds for "Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation" were planted five years ago when I met Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk at the Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp in Mahwah, New Jersey.
What began as a series of portraits of the Ramapough Lenape women portraying sacred stories, has blossomed into an on-going passion. The project prompts viewers to reflect upon and honor the Lenape people who have cared for and stewarded this land (the metropolitan and Hudson Valley area) long before the Dutch and English settled on the Hudson shores. Let it be so!
As this portrait photography series finds its way in the world, I am continually amazed at the power of art to make a difference in peoples lives; opening doors, building bridges and giving agency to women and the radical act of declaring "See Me."
On April 19th, Arts Westchester will present the Award along with nine other arts awards at its annual luncheon at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY.
From April 8-23, the Arts Exchange Gallery at ArtsWestchester in White Plains will present recent works by the winners and finalists for the 2023 Lawrence Salley Award for Photography -- including myself and co-winner Todd Shapera.
Please join us for a reception at the gallery
April 22 | 12-2pm.
ArtsExhange Gallery @ ArtsWestchester 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
