Friday night, the West Haven Council on the Arts presented “Westies” to ten patrons of the arts who have been instrumental in forwarding the appreciate of arts in our community. From rallying support in government to showing up at press conferences and City Council meetings, their support of the arts, the West Haven Council on the Arts, and the renovation of the future Cultural Arts Center, their actions have been an integral part of gaining support for an increased presence of the arts in the community. The event, Arts & All That Jazz, was held in the Savin Rock Conference Center.

Bill Riccio, Editor, West Haven Voice,; Thomas Reilly, Housing Specialist; Attorney Win Smith; Eileen Buckheit, Commissioner of Planning & Development; Councilman Edward O’Brien; Councilwoman Tracy Morrissey; Yale University, Gov. M. Jodi Rell; State Sen. Gayle Slossberg; and Mayor John Picard.

The evening began with a cocktail hour and heavy hors d’oevres, followed by a short award ceremony. Paul Scanlon, President of the WHCA, spoke a little about each recipients’ contribution to the arts in West Haven before presented an engraved statuette to the recipients or their representatives. During the entire event, local artist Paul Iverson, created a painting that was auctioned off in a silent auction at the end of the evening. Assistant Corporation Counsel, Mark Bergamo, won the painting and then donated to the WHCA so it could be hung in the future Cultural Arts Center on Center Street.

“This was a nice evening,” said Councilman Ed O’Brien, one of the recipients. “The format was very relaxed and informal. It was perfect for this time of year.”

Paul Scanlon, President of the West Haven Council on the Arts, was happy about the turnout.

“We wanted to applaud some of the members of our community who have been helping us further our mission,” he said. “This is only of fraction of those who have helped us over the past few years, but we wanted to make sure we thanked them personally and publicly.”

The West Haven Council on the Arts thanked the members who participated in making this evening a success. From the bartenders, LucyAnn and Jeff Colasuonno, to photographer, Caitlin Morrissey, to the music provided by Barth McNeil, and everyone else involved - each member that participated helped to make the evening a success.