DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014


Westchester County Business Journal • ARTSWNEWS


A7


New Year, New Website for ArtsWestchester


After a full year of development, ArtsWestchester announces the launch of its new website, Artswestchester.org, which will be accessible on all mobile devices beginning mid-January. Designed to be even more user-friendly than its previous version, the new site is easier to navigate, offers more infor- mation about the arts in Westchester County and resizes itself on various mobile platforms.


“Thanks to the support of Westchester County government, the new site exceeds the promise of its tagline, 'The Comprehensive Guide to the Arts in Westchester,' says ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam.


Larger text and bolder images, along with new colors make the new site more engaging. Content is now easier to access because event informa- tion and ArtsWestchester-specific information are separated. The main


navigation allows users to search for events by date or category of inter- est, and also provides a database of artists and cultural organizations in Westchester County.


A secondary navigation provides access to ArtsWestchester programs and services. Both sections of the site are linked to each other for easy toggling, facilitating the access of information for various user groups who frequent the site with different goals in mind.


To keep up with evolving technology, “responsive design” was also a key factor in the development of the new website, making it possible to achieve an optimal viewing experience on any mobile device. Since users will be able to view the site with a minimum of resizing, panning and scrolling on their smartphones, laptops and tab- lets, the arts will now be even more accessible, at the touch of a screen,


Power Art Couple Plans to Transform Yonkers City Jail Into Center for Art and Culture


Artists have an uncanny ability to see what is invisible to others, creating thought provoking master- pieces and transforming canvases and spaces into works of art. It’s no surprise, then, that Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was joined by two of the nation’s foremost creators and collectors of art to announce the purchase and transformation of the former Yonkers City Jail along the waterfront into studio, gallery, exhi- bition and loft space.


Maya Lin, known for her winning design for the Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C., has created a remarkable body of work that includes large-scale site-specific installations, intimate studio art- works and architectural works. Daniel Wolf is a recognized art,


furniture, and photography collec- tor. The power team intends to buy and redesign the 10,000 square foot space that was offered by the City for sale and redevelopment.


Current plans include creating a multi-functional space on the first floor that can be used for art exhib- its, dance performances, lectures, photography shoots, and other public events. In addition to housing Wolf’s private collections, the site will also serve as a base from which to promote exhibitions for world renowned museums and galleries. In the future, Wolf hopes to add two additional floors to the existing build- ing, creating artist studios and fur- ther capitalizing on the site’s unpar- alled light, views of the waterfront, and location.


anywhere one can be carried.


There is something for everyone at ArtsWestchester.org. Artists will have the ability to post larger images and more detailed information about their craft; member organizations will benefit from adding press releases


and blog links to their profile pages; and residents who want to be “in the know” about all things arts-related will have all relevant information available in one convenient location. To browse the new website, visit: www.artswestchester.org.


(left to right): Yonkers Deputy Mayor Susan Gerry, art collector Daniel Wolf, architect and artist Maya Lin and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano


Mayor Spano stated, “This transfor- mative project sets an anchor for the art community here in Yonkers that adds to the culture of a Downtown neighborhood that’s bursting with


opportunity for people to live and enjoy the beautiful Hudson water- front.”


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