Not For Profit Artist Organization CHASHAMA Celebrates 'Open Studios'

Chashama, the prominent non-profit supporting emerging artists, has named 20-year-old performer and writer Leah Lane to its Board of Directors -- making her the youngest board member in the organization's history. Leah was formally introduced at a VIP reception and sneak preview of the Open Studios Weekend on Oct. 12.

Anita Durst, Founder and Artistic Director of Chashama, first met Leah Lane at the first annual BroadwayCon where they were both panelists on the subject of non-traditional theater.

"Leah's passion for the arts is radiant," said Durst. "Lane grew up in NYC and was able to take advantage of all the arts and culture the city has to offer, as both an audience member and as a working child actor. She has fresh insight into New York's contemporary art scene and a deep drive to support our creative communities, which makes her a marvelous addition to our board. Leah's dedication to the advancement of the arts will guarantee her success as a member of Chashama's board and a key player as the organization moves to expand its reach in the greater New York Area."

"Artists in New York City barely have affordable space to live in much less create their work," said Lane. "Whether they are painters, actors, sculptors, set designers, directors, or working in another discipline, artists need space to work. Chashama helps artists and the arts thrive. I feel honored to help this important cause" The Annual Open Studios Weekend ran on Oct. 13 - 14 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (140 58th St. in Sunset Park). More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the weekend event, which is free and open to the public.Ninety-six visual artist studios will be open to the public during the event, which is held in conjunction with Open House New York. Guests had the opportunity to explore new works, interact with the artists in their studios, and wander freely through the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal. The event provided valuable exposure to Chashama's emerging artists, whose works will be available for purchase, and most are priced under $1,000. For more information visit www.chashama.org/events.

Anita Durst founded Chashama - which means "to have vision" in Farsi - in 1995 to support artists by providing space to create and to present in major buildings around town. In the past 23 years, Chashama has served 15,000 artists with free and low-cost gallery, studio and window space programs, and has provided free arts programming to approximately 2 million viewers. In recent years, Chashama has continued to reach new audiences through its youth programming, lobby curation and affordable artist housing. They boast one of the largest affordable studio programs in New York City with 144 artist workspaces in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. "Half of the artists at Brooklyn Army Terminal have been with Chashama for more than seven years and are just peaking," says Durst. "We have an army of talent in Our Studios, and I am so proud to be able to showcase their work. Working studios, gallery and exhibition opportunities, and social support is all part of the Chashama system."

Leah Lane is already an accomplished performer, having had the honor to work with the Metropolitan Opera, the Dicapo Opera Theatre, and perform at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center Rose Theater, The Edinburgh Festival, and as a frequent guest artist for Robert Wilson's Watermill Center. Leah is currently in her junior year at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in the Atlantic Theater Studio. She studied at summer programs at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Guildhall. In addition to acting, Leah is a writer. She has penned the children's books Are We There Yet? (Trafford Publishing) and This Never Happens in the City (Trafford Publishing). Her plays Sisters Only received a reading at The Lucille Lortel Theater as part of Sondheim's Young Playwrights Urban Retreat, Moey's Fairy Tale Adventure was performed at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, and she is a regular contributor to BroadwayWorld. Rounding out her experiences in writing and performing, Lane feels it is necessary to understand the practical and business side of the arts and to share that knowledge with others. She has been a teaching artist with the Hamptons Shakespeare Festival and is a graduate of the 14-week Commercial Theatre Institute (CTI) program, a joint venture of the Broadway League and the Theatre Development Fund, which is committed to the professional development of theater producers.