Allan Appel Photo
Sepulveda and Adae with Murray (at center).
One has been operating a private community art school for 11 years. Another recently retired from teaching in a public school art classroom — which he affectionately called his “studio” — for, count ‘em, 36 years.
The two artists, Kwadwo Adae and David Sepulveda, were among six recipients of the 2016 Arts Council of Greater New Haven Arts Awards. The council gave out the awards at an annual ceremony Friday.
The theme this year was the artist as “communicator.”
The lunch meal with a side of festivities drew a sold-out audience of 250 admirers to the Lawn Club Friday and helped to raise about $35,000, said Arts Council Interim Director Martha Murray.
The other awardees were also communicators, mentors, and sources of guidance and inspiration for others.
They include videographer and storyteller Travis Carbonella who was cited in particular for Permission to Fail, the monthly open-mic performance series of which he’s the impressario in Westville; the folks at East Street Arts, part of Marrakech Inc., for their artisan training program, especially for people with disabilities; and Margaret Anne Tockarshewsky for helping revitalize the New Haven Museum, of which she’s executive director, with a special focus on reaching out to kids with inspiring new program.
Kinglsey with arts advocate Maryann Ott.
The C. Newton Schenck III Award for lifetime achievement went to longtime Wiggin and Dana attorney Charles Kingsley, known as the man who has headed more arts boards than just about anyone in town, including those at the New Haven Symphony, Long Wharf Theater, the Arts Council, and, currently, the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation.
Sepulveda is also known as a generous journalist-around-town writing many articles for this publication. Adae is the creator or co-creator of at least 10 New Haven murals. Both artists said that the truly greatest award — and reward— an art teacher can receive is a communication from a student that your teaching has informed or even dramatically affected his or her life.
That is not an unusual occurrence in the work of these low-keyed, self-effacing but effective practitioners, who said they regularly learn from their students and are full of pride for their achievements.
“I’m sure Kwadwo would agree that every student’s success is our success. And the greatest success I’ve had is when a student calls me and thanks me,” Sepulveda reported.
Adae with admirers, from left, city arts czar Andy Wolf, arts czar, Lucille Bruce and Kyle Pederson.
Recently he heard from a student about their career plans and the student said, “You were the first teacher whoever taught me mark-making and form.”
“One of my first students came to me [recently]. She told me she is going to Maine College of Art,” Adae said.
He was so excited he asked her what supplies she needed. She told her to freely take what he had in the studio to help launch herself.
“I couldn’t be more proud. She told me she’s [considering] becoming an art teacher. That’s worth everything of running an art school — in my eleventh year I [finally have been able to] hire an assistant,” he added.
Albertus Magnus Director of Communications Rosanne Zudekoff said Charles Kinglsey, who is also a wildlife photographer, richly deserved the lifetime achievement award as “a wonderful recognition of all that he has done for New Haven.”
When Kingsley accepted his award, the room at the Lawn Club offered a sustained standing ovation.
Awardee Tockarshewsky flanked by Charlie and Charlotte Murphy.
Wooster Squarite Charlotte Murphy — who is also a board member at the New Haven Museum — said she nominated the museum’s Tockarshewsky for the award in part because “she’s recognized there’s more in New Haven than Colonial history.”
Murphy cited the museum’s shows such as “Made In New Haven,” about products manufactured in our town, along with a re-energized array of children’s programs as Tockarshewsky’s other notable achievements.
Cindy Clair.
Cindy Clair, the Arts Council’s executive director from 2006 until her departure this year, also received warm accolades. The council’s Board Chair Eileen O’Donnell praised her as an “avid supporter and advocate” for the arts.
“This award is lovely, but when a student calls telling you you guided them,” or have given them insights, that’s “the ultimate award,” Sepulveda added.
Neither Adae nor Sepulveda saw any conflict between the two hats they wear as individual practicing artists and as teachers and promoters of other artists. “All teachers learn from their students, all students learn from their teachers. You just have to be open to it,” said Adae.
And then they went into the dining room, surrounded by throngs of friends and admirers.
Special thanks to Arts Council Award winner and videographer Travis Carbonella, who produced a beautiful short video about the awardees that was presented at the Awards ceremony.