Community Corner
Reena Kashyap of Rye Wins Arts & Culture Award from Volunteer New York!
Pictured are: Reena Kashyap of Rye, winner of the Arts & Culture Award for service to the Clay Art Center (presented by Mack-Cali); and Joel Mitchell of Rye Brook, Volunteer New York! board member, at Volunteer New York!'s 34th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Tarrytown, NY, on April 24.
When Kashyap came to the Clay Art Center of Port Chester in 1997, it was a flagging clay artists program in a deteriorating factory building. As a clay artist herself with a passionate volunteer spirit, she saw that there was an opportunity to do something very tangible. With vision, drive, and business savvy, the Clay Art Center has evolved into the thriving community resource it is today.
From its very foundation, Kashyap developed an artists program, asking each artist to volunteer three hours per month to give them a sense of involvement and personal investment. She then expanded all of the programs for children and adults in their community. From a class of ten students in 1997, the Center now serves 7,000 people each year. She also initiated exhibitions and a residency program that allows young clay artists to work in a supportive environment to further their skills. A graduate of Volunteer New York!'s Leadership Westchester program, she was honored in 2009 as Alumna of the Year.
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With Kashyap at its helm, the Clay Art Center has also expanded its offerings to include art classes with local schools and community centers as well as to put clay into the hands of the underserved. Since 1997, she has also raised community awareness with an international grass roots effort to fight hunger for Empty Bowls, gathering local potters to help raise funds for local soup kitchens.
For Kashyap, clay is transformative. She has harnessed this knowledge to create a community institution and destination that shows the magic of self-expression through art.