The Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse welcomed educators, students, administrators and community members from across Central New York on June 16 for the 2026 Gala for the Arts, an evening dedicated to recognizing the people helping arts education grow in their schools and communities.

Hosted by CiTi BOCES Arts-in-Education, the annual event celebrated innovation in the arts by honoring outstanding educators, student leaders, administrators and community partners whose work is creating new opportunities for students.

Guests started the evening by exploring the museum's galleries while enjoying refreshments and music from live student musical performances. The program then moved into the auditorium, where honorees from districts across the region were recognized for their contributions to arts education.

Awards were presented in the areas of art, music, dance and theater, administration, community partnerships, the Individual Arts Assessment Pathway and student innovation.

A full album of photos is available on our Facebook page.

Innovation Recognition Honorees

Art

• Judith Curtin – Phoenix
• Lydia Larrabee – Mexico
• Keirsten Jennings – Pulaski

Music

• Chittenango Music Department
• Lindsey Ezzo – East Syracuse Minoa

Dance/Theater

• Dr. Doreen Kelly – Fulton

Administration

• Molly Hagan – Cazenovia
• Amy Rapin – Oswego

Community

• Alesia Pfluger

Individual Arts Assessment Pathway Recognition

• Sarena Colvin – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Annika Dharwadkar – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Scott Hemenway – Trumansburg
• Leila Lugo – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Claire Manahan – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Hannah May McHenry – Union Springs
• Annabelle Reville – Trumansburg
• So a Sha – Trumansburg
• Jay Shi – Fayetteville-Manlius

Student Innovation Honorees

• Madison Hohle – Oswego
• Eire Scofield – East Syracuse Minoa
• Nataleigh Smith – Mexico
• Riley Grant – Mexico
• Logan Bolton – Baldwinsville
• Luca Primerano – Liverpool
• Lacey Goodman – Phoenix
• Lyndi Fitzgerald – Sandy Creek
• Eli Connor – Central Square
• Winslow Plumlee – Trumansburg
• Madeline Davidson – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Hari Yoganathan – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Sarena Colvin – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Kira Coleman – Fayetteville-Manlius
• Alyce Ugalde-Villarreal – Fayetteville-Manlius

The evening also highlighted the talent found throughout Central New York with performances by the Fulton Jazz Band, West Genesee Strings, Phoenix Jazz Band and the Marcellus Brass Ensemble. Their performances served as a reminder of what arts programs can accomplish when students are given the opportunity to learn, perform and grow. Lastly, a student artwork exhibition was also showcased for onlookers.

The Gala for the Arts is about more than recognizing achievements from the past year. It highlights the work happening every day in classrooms, rehearsal spaces, studios and performance venues across the region. From teachers introducing new ideas to students finding their voice through the arts, each honoree represents the impact that strong arts programs continue to have on schools and communities.