Renowned printmaker and illustrator Barry Moser, as well as the musicians who have helped spark a thriving jazz scene in Northampton, are among the winners of this year’s Arts & Humanities awards from New England Public Radio.
NEPR, which since 2008 has annually honored three people or groups for their contributions to the Valley’s artistic and cultural life, has also tapped children’s book author and literacy advocate Ty Allan Jackson of Pittsfield for one of its 2017 awards.
The Springfield radio station has given its third award this year to the Northampton Jazz Workshop, a group formed in 2010 by pianist Paul Arslanian and the late bassist Dave Shapiro to provide regular jazz sessions at Northampton’s Green Street Café.
Each week since then, the Green Street Trio, which now includes Arslanian, bassist George Kaye, and drummer Jon Fisher, plays with a guest soloist in a one-hour set (now held at City Sports Grille). The free, Tuesday-night session then expands to an organized jam session that’s open to any interested musicians.
“We are happy to recognize these worthy nominees,” said Stephen Wittenberg, chair of the engagement committee for the New England Public Radio Foundation, Inc., the creators of the Arts & Humanities award.
In a statement, Wittenberg also called the award process “a community-wide effort in acknowledging the great talent we are lucky to have here in the Valley.”
Moser, who lives in Hatfield, is nationally acclaimed for his prints and illustrations, especially his woodcuts and his work for private press books, including his own editions of “Alice in Wonderland” and the Bible.
Jackson, the Pittsfield children’s author, has drawn particular praise for Big Head Books, LLC, the literacy organization he founded in 2009 to introduce children to the joy of reading. He visits schools, libraries, youth organizations and prisons around the country as well as in Massachusetts to promote his work.
This year’s award winners will be honored May 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the 9th Annual Arts & Humanities Awards Celebration at the Log Cabin restaurant in Holyoke. Tickets are available at NEPR.net. Proceeds support the programs and services of New England Public Radio.