New Rochelle Council on the Arts Adds New Board Members

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) is pleased to announce three new Board members: Nick Carter, Anthony Paolercio and Ken Valenti. In addition, Donna Wood Sanders has moved from the Advisory Board to the Board. And Board members Terry Prettyman Bowles and Beth Willensky have moved to the Advisory Board.

“We are excited to add new Board members who bring a diversity of talent and experience to the Board,” says Theresa Kump Leghorn, President of NRCA. She also noted that the Board had reluctantly accepted the resignation of longtime member Irene Pastarnack. “It’s been an honor to serve on this Board with Irene,” said Leghorn. “As an artist who has continued to create at every stage throughout her life she has provided inspiration to all of us.”

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts was created by the New Rochelle City Council in 1975 to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts; for over 40 years NRCA has worked to fulfill that mission by sponsoring art exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. In addition, NRCA has sponsored public art -- like the popular Fleur-de-Lis sculptures downtown -- and created ArtsFest, while helping to build relationships between the arts, the business community and city government. The NRCA website www.newrochellearts.org has become major resource for artists and art lovers – the “go-to” place for information about the arts. Membership in NRCA is open to artists and non-artists alike, with members receiving special discounts and invitations to networking events and studio tours. NRCA’s programs are made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with funds from Westchester County Government, the City of New Rochelle, and the support and participation of NRCA’s membership.For more information visit NRCA on the web at www.newrochellearts.org.

NRCA’s officers include Theresa Kump Leghorn, President; Linda Tarrant-Reid, Vice President; Billie Tucker, Treasurer; Lynn Green, Assistant Treasurer; and David Patterson, Secretary.

In addition to the Executive committee, NRCA’s Board of Directors includes Barbara Bock, Margaret Chadwick, Leslie Demus, Laura Falb, Charles Fazzino, Diane Flagello, Enid Blount Press, Melissa Panszi Riebe, Donna Wood Sanders, Angela Derecas Taylor and Judith Weber. NRCA’s Board of Advisors includes Terry Prettyman Bowles, Michael Dandry, Linda Kelly Fauci, Carol Ann Samela, Jesse Sanchez, Leah Sills, Beth Willensky, Eric Woodlin and Bill Zimmerman.

Biographies of the New Board Members

Nick Carter

Nick Carter is a native of Niagara Falls, NY where he took an interest in photography in high school. He has lived in New Rochelle since 1989. Nick Carter started his career in the arts as a professional photographer in 2003 when he opened Nick Carter Photography (www.nickcarterweddings.com), a business that specializes in weddings and events. He decided to start his business after being laid off from his job in financial services: The tragic events of September 11th catapulted him into deciding that, “If I am ever going to live life on my own terms, now is the time.” Since 2003 his photography business has been fortunate to have hired and trained other upcoming and established photographers. The team shoots 40 weddings per year on average and looks to expand in the future. The business has also branched out to include video production and editing for corporations, musicians and others. In 2015 he started Verasson Creative Services (www.verasson.com), which specializes in video production and editing. Nick also created the Creative Voices Project, an ongoing video project that profiles highly talented people in the arts such as musicians, artists, painters, graffiti and tattoo artists.

Anthony Paolercio

In 1965, a 13-year-old kid from the Bronx got a job working in the jewelry district in Manhattan. The seeds of an American dream were planted. Today, Anthony Paolercio is the co-founder and Chief of Operations of Michael Anthony Jewelers, one of the world’s premiere manufactures of gold jewelry.

Anthony’s first venture in jewelry making began in 1972 with casting and selling his sterling silver creations at flea markets on weekends with his new bride, Carmen. Next he opened his first “real” jewelry factory on NYC’s Lower East Side. Impressed by what they saw, two Texas entrepreneurs invited Anthony to come to Taos, New Mexico, to build a facility there. The young couple seized the opportunity to experience life in the Southwest and moved to Taos in October, 1974. Several months later a new challenge to build an immense state-of-the-art production facility in Albuquerque enticed them to move again. Despite the allure of a comfortable life in the beautiful Southwest, the impending birth of a new baby spurred Anthony and Carmen to return to New York. It was while driving cross country with his brother that the dream, which was to become Michael Anthony Jewelers, was conceived. With seed money from family members the two brothers from The Bronx founded Michael Anthony Jewelers.

After 49 years in the industry, Anthony has become both an industry icon and a celebrity. His appearances on the Home Shopping Network generate millions of dollars in business and his easy, natural charm has gained him loyal customers and fans. In 1987 Anthony and Carmen received a Commemorative Award for their years of generosity to the children of Graham-Windham, and in 2005 they were honored to be among the honorees of the IRI Spring Gala.

Ken Valenti

After many years as a daily news journalist, Ken Valenti is a public relations specialist and writer. His work includes promoting New Rochelle's downtown. Ken runs For the Love of Words, a monthly open mic night in downtown New Rochelle for poets and writers of fiction and memoir. He also has published several short stories in fiction journals.