(GARNERVILLE, NY, May 6, 2021…) The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Rockland announced today that the late sculptor and painter Jeff Burtch, will posthumously receive the 2021 Ars Longa Award; an award bestowed upon an individual or organization that has made a long lasting or lifetime commitment to the arts in Rockland County. Jeff will be honored at ACOR’s Annual Arts Awards event which will be held virtually on June 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m
“Ars Longa, Vita Brevis. Literally translated as, 'art is long, life is short, a truer statement was never said of Jeff Burtch, this year’s recipient of the Arts Council’s Ars Longa Award,” said Cheryl Baun, Executive Director of ACOR. “We are honored to celebrate Jeff’s life and his remarkable artwork which has enlightened and enriched our lives, and we know his legacy will live on for generations to come.”
A life-long resident of Orangeburg, Jeff was a graduate of Pearl River High School (Class of 1964), Cornell University (Class of 1968, B.S.) and Columbia University (Class of 1970, M.A.). In addition to being a sculptor and painter, Jeff was a founding member of the Piermont Flywheel Gallery, where he showed his work for nearly 20 years. He also showed at the Rockland Center for the Arts, the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, and 14 Sculptors, West Broadway and Phoenix Galleries in New York City. Sadly, Jeff passed away on January 25, 2021, after fighting a long and courageous battle from a stroke and cancer. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Keira, son Ryan and brother, Peter.
“Jeff was committed to sharing his expression of human thoughts and feelings with the people of his community in both public and private spaces,” said Keira Burtch. “I know he would be deeply honored by this recognition of his life’s work from the Arts Council of Rockland.”
Artist Statement:
“As a sculptor, I work mostly with stone, wood, metal, and ferro-cement, creating allusions to the human figure, to bones, and to the physiology of living growth and movement. The inter-relationship of mass and space is always characteristic. What is not present becomes as important to the viewer's eyes as what is. Negative space is critical, with hollow forms imparting a spiritual anima, or energy, to the materials themselves. Although not "anatomically correct," the sculpture occupies space and moves in a manner that suggests figure-like presence. As a painter, I express my more cerebral side. I work with gouache, oil on wood and a variety of mixed media. I am trying to work with two dimensions, achieving a three dimensional image.” – Jeff Burtch.
The Arts Council of Rockland’s 2021 Arts Awards will be held virtually on June 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Honorees for 2021 include the Hilton Pearl River, award-winning jazz vocalist Shirley Crabbe, and Philip Hagemann, former Conductor of the Rockland County Choral Society. In addition to the Ars Longa, awards will be given in six categories: Arts Educator, Arts Organization/Leadership, Visual Artist, Literary Artist and Performing Artist.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
For more information about tickets, sponsorship, and award nominations please visit www.artscouncilofrockland.org/arts-awards.
The Arts Council of Rockland is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the arts, culture and the role of artists in our community.
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