Chantal Legros
On Sunday, March 30th, 2014 at 3:00 pm, Legros Cultural Arts, will host a SWAN Day event commemorating the life and achievements of Chantal Legros, their Founder and Executive Director who passed away unexpectedly on January 14th, 2014.
Chantal Legros was an energetic advocate for women artists, and WomenArts joins her family and friends in mourning her loss. Legros launched her Women in the Arts series for SWAN Day 2009, and every year she created wonderful SWAN Day celebrations featuring women artists in different art forms.
In 2013 she produced 5 events through her Women in the Arts Series, featuring over 70 female artists with an audience of over 2,500. In addition, she hosted a week-long Theater Festival at Shetler Studios, featuring aspiring actors and playwrights performing dramatic monologues and short plays.
Chantal Legros had deep commitments to promoting cultural diversity through the arts and to encouraging the younger generation. She worked hard to get the skills she would need to act on those commitments. She obtained a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, a Bachelors Degree in Film Production, and a Certificate in Arts Management. She founded Legros Cultural Arts in 1999 and manifested her vision for over 15 years through the development and production of multicultural events in Long Island and New York City.
In addition to her accomplishments in the arts, she had a distinguished career in community and youth development and served as the President and CEO of the Southern Queens Parks Association at the time of her passing,
The March 30th SWAN Day event will feature performances by artists that have worked with Legros Cultural Arts over the years in both its Women in the Arts Series (including dancers/choreographers and vocalists) and its Theater Ensemble Program. In addition, art work produced by participants in their Annual Multicultural Arts and Crafts Festival will be on display.
“While our hearts are heavy with the loss of Chantal, we have been inspired by the outpouring of support for this event and are looking forward to celebrating her life, accomplishments and continuing her legacy through Legros Cultural Arts”, said Oya Bangura, the organization’s Special Events Director.
SWAN Day is successful because of women like Chantal Legros all over the world – talented, energetic, hard-working women artists who are determined to leave the world a better place than they found it. The growth of Legros Cultural Arts over the past fifteen years in spite of all the economic challenges, is a wonderful tribute to Chantal’s optimism and perseverance. We applaud her commitment to women artists and to her community.
Although her untimely death is a terrible loss, her life was a shining inspiration. We hope that she is resting peacefully in the knowledge that there are thousands of women artists around the world who share her values, and we will continue her work for as long as it takes to create the harmonious multi-cultural world she dreamed of.
The Southern Queens Park Association (SQPA) commissioned a mural that honors Ms. Legros’ commitment to youth development and achievement.
The SWAN Day event Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Chantal Legros will be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center at 153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432-6112 on Sunday, March 30th, 2014 from at 3 p,m. to 7 p.m. Performances begin at 3 p.m. and a reception will follow.
For tickets please click here.
For additional information please visit: www.legrosculturalarts.org.