The Light with Raymond Tyler
The arts community packed The Noyes Arts Garage on March 26, the last Sunday afternoon of Women’s History Month, for the 2023 Women in the Arts Awards.
The event, which recognized 10 diverse women in arts, was sponsored by the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Stockton University.
The Women in the Arts Awards started last year as part of The Noyes Arts Garage Black Art Matters programming. Toby Rosenthal was a winner last year. This year Rosenthal was one of the event speakers.
“I am here to support my colleague who is getting the award this year,” Rosenthal said. “I am also here as a previous winner to support all of these amazing women in the arts.”
Other speakers included Melissa McGeary from the Atlantic City Free Public Library; Chad Roberts, station manager of FM 91.7 WLFR; Leila Crawford from the Mighty Writers program; and Ralph Hunter, director of the African American Heritage Museum.
The first award went to Iraqi author, poet and activist Faleeha Hassan. A Pulitzer-Prize nominee in 2018, she lived in Turkey before immigrating to the United States. She described her early struggles to learn English when she first came to America.
“I could not get financial aid to learn English because I already held a degree in my native country,” Hassan said.
But she was undeterred.
“I learned English by watching television cartoons, and a lot of the ‘Madea’ movies,” she said.
Hassan is the author of a memoir, in English, titled, “War and Me” as well as a book of poetry called, “Breakfast With Butterflies.”
Stockton professor Joe’l Ludovich discussed the importance of making media accessible to all and telling everyone’s story as she accepted her award.
Hair stylist and salon owner Jamillia Lawrence-Patron talked about the importance of being trusted with people’s hair and their hair journey.
Theresa Hawkings accepted her award, thrilled that her 17 years of managing the Atlantic City Free Public Library Film Society was being celebrated.
Brittany Tavares was all smiles as she held her award. However, for a moment her face got serious when she discussed the importance of working with young people.
“Yes we are giving them the tools to write, but when you work with kids every day, it becomes much more,” Tavares said.
Valeria Marcus spoke about helping people who are the victims of abuse.
“If you have a hunch that something is going on, call 911,” Marcus said.
Visual artist Heather Hires encouraged all of the artists to “make time for your art.” Hires’ eyes watered a bit as she discussed her journey to becoming a successful artist.
The day ended with refreshments and networking.
Award winners unable to attend were Kathleen Rizzo, who works with the children’s program the Mighty Writers. Leila Crawford accepted on Rizzo’s behalf; Shawn Jones, award-winning poet, educator and dancer; and Krystal Bailey Turner, poet, activist and journalist.
You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.
