We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Lyon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of Westbury Arts is the people involved in the organization. Westbury Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to deliver arts and cultural programs that connect, educate and inspire our community. Our vision is a community where arts and culture are valued and instill a sense of belonging and pride and our motto is “Together we create Westbury”. For the first 7 years of our existence, Westbury Arts was an all volunteer organization, during those first 7 years the people behind Westbury Arts, a dedicated team of volunteers, did the work to create this organization and to grow it from its humble beginnings in the Village Hall in Westbury to what we are today, Westbury Arts is about bringing arts and culture to the people and it is our people who are delivering on that promise using the arts as a foundational element in the revitalization of downtown Westbury, and building a brand where artists of all artistic disciplines are welcome an can grow, connect and create together. Every element in our mission statement speaks about our people and who we are. “Connect, educate and inspire” is what we do together, as volunteers, members, friends and a community. But we would not be able to bring our mission and vision to fruition without the people willing to do the work; our members, board members, volunteers and staff. Together we create Westbury is more than just a clever motto, it is who we are and what we do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am the current President of the Board of Directors of Westbury Arts. In 2013 I showed up to Westbury Arts’ very first meeting at the Village Hall, in Westbury because I was new in town and wanted to meet people, especially other musicians and try to recreate the musical success my jazz quartet had in Florida. Turns out it wasn’t the right venue for my musical development but it was the right place for me to develop as a volunteer and community leader. My eventually becoming President of Westbury Arts never entered my mind on that first day, but I was captivated by the vision of the Mayor and the other founders and found myself asking “how can I help, what can I do?” so I started volunteering for Westbury Arts without a clear vision for how things would develop but with the willingness to do the work, to learn, and to figure it out. I was elected President of the Board of Directors in 2015. I’m not sure it was always easy but it never felt too hard. I overcame challenges by being willing to ask questions, make mistakes and figure things out. I’ve learned that there is always something to learn and that every person you come into contact with has a lesson for you if you’re willing to look for it. What I want the world to know about Westbury Arts and our story is that we are here, a dedicated group of members, volunteers and staff, making our community a better and more beautiful place through the power of the arts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First on the list for me would be a visit to Westbury Arts to view whatever was hanging in the gallery at that time. We have a different exhibition almost every month so there’s always something to see. If it was the summer, my next stop would be our Summer Concert series featuring a weekly free concert in many different styles of music. Music outside under the stars on a warm summer night is always so much fun. We’d walk the length of Post Avenue and check out the many different restaurants and shops along the way. Italian at Cena 081, new american cuisine at Monroe’s, ice cream, sandwiches, and artisanal drinks at Nana’s cafe, Dominican food at Punta Cana, Mexican at Little Mexico, Afghani at Kabul Kabab….so many places to eat and drink right in downtown! If we’re lucky Asbury Shorts is in town and we’d be entertained by a curated collection of award winning short films put together by Westbury alum Doug LeClaire or maybe the Westbury BID is having their bi-annual street fair, always a fun event. And to top it off, Westbury is a short train ride from NYC and all that there is to do and see in the big apple.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Westbury Arts would not exist if it were not for Peter Cavallaro, Mayor of Westbury. Mayor Cavallaro along with then Deputy Mayor the late Joan Boes decided that what the Village of Westbury needed to help revitalize their downtown was an arts council and so Westbury Arts was born. The Village of Westbury and Mayor Cavallaro have been our staunchest supporters and we would not be where we are today, (literally, we would not have been able to open our building in 2021 without the significant financial support of the Village of Westbury) without the consistent and constant support of our community leaders.

I also have to give a shout out to Westbury Arts founding members and volunteers who have worked so hard to grow this organization and create what we have today. Also, our Board of Directors, present and past, who have demonstrated tireless dedication to Westbury Arts and our growth and development.

Website: https://westburyarts.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westburyarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westburyarts

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@westburyarts

Image Credits
Suzie Alvey, Ed Shin

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