The Board of Directors of the Greater Westbury Council for the Arts (GWAC) has elected Chrissy Lorusso Shelley as President of the Council. Ms. Shelley, an enthusiastic member of GWAC since its inception, was elected to the Executive Board in March, 2014, most recently serving as Co-Recording Secretary and is a member of the Publicity and Marketing committee as well as the Art Mart subcommittee of the Fundraising committee.

Ms. Shelley replaces the Council’s first President, Rocco Lanzilotta, who recently resigned to take a new job out of the area. A Westbury resident, Ms. Shelley is fine arts teacher at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset and is an avid painter and photographer.

Mayor Cavallaro, commenting on the appointment, said, “Chrissy Shelley has been one of the Council’s most active members since its inception. She brings enthusiasm and energy to the organization. The Arts Council has an important role to play in the future of the Village and our downtown. I and the Village Board look forward to working with Chrissy as the Council moves from the formation stage to taking its place as a full and active part of the community.”

Upon her election, Ms. Shelley remarked, “It is a privilege to work with such a talented group of dedicated volunteers at the GWCA. I look forward to further developing the organization and promoting local artists of all media. I’m so grateful to the Village of Westbury, and especially Mayor Peter Cavallaro for championing this initiative. I also thank the Board of Directors for being so mutually supportive of each other through our growing stages.”

Over the past year, The Greater Westbury Council for the Arts, has had tremendous support from the community and has grown to a current membership of over 150 volunteers. During this time, the Arts Council has sponsored/co-sponsored a number of highly successful events, including, an art exhibit at Hicks Flower Show, five Outdoor Summer Concerts in the Piazza, the annual outdoor “Westbury Shorts Film Concert,” and will once again be sponsoring the B.I.D. Street Fair “Street Mosaic,” featuring chalk artwork by local artists and students from Westbury High School as well as a Pop-Up Art Gallery at the fair. GWAC will also be sponsoring the first-ever Asbury Shorts Film Concert at The Space at Westbury on October 14th.

The Greater Westbury Council for the Arts is committed to attract, develop and promote art and culture throughout the community. The Council advocates for a wide range of artistic expression by identifying collaborative partners to provide venues and resources. The Greater Westbury Council for the Arts is a 501c3 tax exempt organization, and all contributions to the Arts Council are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

GWAC OFFICERS
(Sept. 2014)

PRESIDENT
Chrissy Lorusso Shelley

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Dana Boylan

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Alex Nuñez

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
Thomas Sobczak

TREASURER
Michael Kennedy

RECORDING SECRETARY
Maureen Baranov

CO-CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Elizabeth Parise

CO-CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Judy Gerrard