The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County’s (CAFC) honored founder and professor Burt Chernow this week at CAFC’s annual Arts and Culture Empowerment Awards breakfast. Chernow, a renowned art historian, writer and teacher, founded the Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) in 1967 and was instrumental in building its collection.

Director of the HMA, Robbin Zella, accepted the award along with artist Ann Chernow and his daughter, Curator of Prints and drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Perrin Stein.

“Burt’s twin passions were for art and education.” Zella said. “The permanent collection (at HMA) is his gift to the students of HCC, the City of Bridgeport and all the residents of Connecticut.”

Chernow was honored with CAFC’s President’s Award, which recognizes an individual or individuals who have made an impact in art and culture within Fairfield County. CAFC also presented awards to educators, business owners and artists. Tony award-winning actor James Naughton presided over the awards.