ARTYA Awards (Artivist Of The Year Award)
ArtTour International Magazine, in collaboration with Artists for a Green Planet, celebrated a ceremony of peace, hope, and creativity during the ARTYA Awards. Honoring a group of selected artists for their humanitarian and environmental contributions through visual arts, world-renowned artists came together to celebrate the 2019 Artya Awards in Manhattan Neighborhood Network El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center.
The event was set up by Colombo-American artist, curator, painter, writer, and activist, Viviana Puello, who is internationally recognized for her active role in promoting the arts globally. The step and repeat was carefully decorated with garments and objects honoring the elements of earth, fire, water, and air. Exotic feathers adorned lavish fabrics, accompanied by glistening gemstones, insect sculptures, and delicate fabric butterfly decor. Soft pedals from freshly delivered flowers added a sweet touch to complement the aroma of lavender that eased the mood in the room.
The awarded artists received an original bronze sculpture, a representation of an Autumn leaf entitled “Sunset of Hope.” Created by Viviana Puello, this unique sculpture—ranging in color from green to gold—embodies the ARTYA AWARDS.
The mood was set by yet another enlightening and empowering message of hope by Viviana. Honoring the prayers of the Navajo for our planet and its well-being, she sang “Haseya.” Some say that reading words brings peace and calm. We have found this to be true based on the reaction in the room that night — a beautiful testament to the power of words in unison.
The ceremony was honored by the presence of leaders in the community, including Zenaida Mendez, Director of MNN’s El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center, and a leading activist in New York City for social justice. Jorge Pérez Rodríguez and Leyre Oruetxebarria García, members of the Cultural Section of the Consulate General of Spain in New York, represented awarded artist José Ángel Palao. Ia Merkviladze, a Georgian journalist, stood in to accept an award for the Georgian Media.
The ceremony was followed by an exciting evening at Ortomare Ristorante Pizzeria, an earthy Italian restaurant offering wood-fired pizza, wine, and spirits in outdoor seating. There, a connection was ignited among the artists, with live jazz to set the mood.
This year’s ARTYA awards were yet another reminder of how many positive outcomes are taking place around the world by individuals fighting to be the change we seek. May this serve as a reminder that abundance is achieved in the essence of unity and love.
