The following is the text of a press release.
Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center has announced that Patty Colosimo will be the recipient of the 2023 Jackie Award, the Marilyn Horne Award for Excellence in Creative and Performing Arts, according to BCPAC Executive Director, Darren Litz. Born and raised in Bradford PA, she is a graduate of Bradford Area High School and received a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree (concentration in Music, and a minor in Art History) from the Indiana University of PA (IUP).
Colosimo has been at Pitt-Bradford since 1999, beginning her career with conference services and as coordinator of the Spectrum Arts Series. In 2006, she was named assistant director of arts programming and was promoted to director in 2012 up until her recent retirement in 2022.
During her tenure at UPB, her awards and recognition are numerous. In 2001 Patty was awarded the A.C.E Award for Pitt-Bradford Admissions; in 2009, she was awarded the Staff Recognition Award; and in 2010 she was the first woman on the Bradford campus to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Staff Recognition for Excellence in Service to the University.
While at UPB, she continuously expanded the Pitt-Bradford Arts program to include community-related programs and projects. Colosimo introduced children’s programming and arts appreciation for young people to Pitt-Bradford, brought in top-flight artists on a limited budget, coordinated the Norman Rockwell Exhibition at the university, raised money for the arts at Pitt-Bradford and oversaw the multi-faceted restoration of the historically significant Tommaso Juglaris painting that hangs in Blaisdell Hall.
In 2007 she established the Kaleidoscope Series, providing regional schools with over 40 student matinee performances. Over 12,000 families attended pre/post-show activity events such as pajama parties, themed dress-up, petting zoos, etc., free-to-the-public arts
workshops.
Patty also organized many in-school master classes in jazz, classical, opera, and more, in not only the Bradford Area School District, but also in schools in Olean, Smethport, Port Allegany, Salamanca and other regional school districts. Her efforts to enrich these communities have been far-reaching.
In 2012 Patty partnered with the Bradford Area School District to present their annual art exhibition in the KOA Art Gallery to present the artwork of K-12 students. She was also instrumental in creating several community collaborations including the Bradford Airport’s 50th Anniversary Exhibit in the KOA Art Gallery in 2013 and working with the One Book Bradford over the years, to bring authors to speak on the Bradford campus.
Colosimo returned to the region following her graduation from IUP in 1982. This is where her life-long service to Bradford began. In those early years she started volunteering for the newly formed BCPAC, where she was instrumental in assisting with marketing efforts, hanging posters, and doing anything that helped promote the arts, which she loved. This dedication to the arts, BCPAC and the region continued.
Throughout the ’80’s Patty was often found working with Alan Jones on the many sets for BCPAC performances, working tirelessly to help bring the arts to our region. Patty continued her dedication to the arts through her involvement with the Kiwanis Kapers. Whether it was through the creation of sets or her work on makeup and costumes, her dedication to the arts in Bradford was evident.
Ms. Colosimo also helped to coordinate community art exhibitions during the numerous downtown arts festivals and through the Old City Hall Art Exhibitions. In addition, she has made numerous presentations to community organizations to stimulate and encourage their interest in supporting the arts in Bradford. This included such groups as Rotary, Kiwanis, Leadership McKean, Zonta, and regional schools.
Patty also worked with The Bradford Kiwanis Club (and BAHS Key Club, Aktions Club and Builders Club) to establish Kiwanis Day as part of the Kaleidoscope Series.
Outside of her professional career, Patty has participated locally on the board of the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center, Southern Tier Symphony and Italian Festa Committee. She was also a state-wide board member for the Pennsylvania Presenters Organization.
Patty is married to Dick Colosimo of Bradford and has three children; Celeste Anderson (Matt) of Pittsburgh, Richie Colosimo of Pittsburgh, and Chelsey Colosimo of Los Angeles, CA. She is the daughter of the late Pascal and Loretta Iaderosa.
While giving her energy to the arts and being a mom of three, she was often found on the sidelines cheering on her kids in their sporting events and designing/constructing sets for the Bradford Area High School performances, in addition to coordinating hair and makeup. She was also instrumental in directing large fundraisers for St. Bernard’s School, and she was an active member of the parents’ booster clubs for band, soccer, football, gymnastics, as well as actively participating in the PTA/PTO at her kids’ schools from 1990 through 2010.
Patty’s service to the community is both endless and creative. During COVID, she developed a community fundraiser to – Fill the Seats, in the Bromeley Family Theater with food bags– raising over $10,000 for the Friendship Table.
Ms. Colosimo’s impact is long-standing, dedicated, and wide-reaching. Her commitment to the arts and community, and the impact on Bradford and the region is beyond exemplary and will be celebrated with this award. Her drive has been guided by her desire to provide free community programming throughout the years to the downtown area including nursing homes, local churches, special education classes, and even the Christmas Parade in 2021.
“Patty has had a hand in almost every event, program, and community organization in Bradford”, said Courtney Mealey, Interim Director of Arts Programming at UPB. “In her first year of retirement as Director of Arts Programming for the University of Pittsburgh, this award would be a way for the community to thank her for those many years of dedicated service to the arts and regional activities, events and participation. Her legacy is one that has touched many here in Bradford and beyond and I believe should be celebrated”, said Mealey.
BCPAC has presented this award since 1990, recognizing an individual or organization who has demonstrated excellence and support of the creative and performing arts in the region. The award was originally given as The Bravo Award, but then retired in 2000 and was changed to the “Jackie” award, given in recognition of Bradford native and world-renowned opera singer, Marilyn Horne “Jackie”. Ms. Horne was awarded the “Jackie” when she came to town in the spring of 2000.
“We are thrilled to recognize Patty with the Jackie Award because of her passion and dedication to the arts, and her commitment and service to sharing her love of the arts with so many others in both the Pitt-Bradford community and the Bradford region”, said Litz.
Ms. Colosimo will be recognized and presented with the award at the upcoming BCPAC performance of TAKE3 at the Bromeley Family Theatre on the University of Pitt-Bradford campus on May 4th at 7:00pm, with a light reception in the lobby following. Tickets for the event are still available online at bcpac.com or by calling the Ticket Office at 814-362-2522.