BEACON FALLS — The Milbourne Christopher Foundation has announced that Beacon Falls resident and professional magician and mentalist Jim Sisti has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Milbourne Christopher Award for Close-Up Magic, one of the most respected honors in the conjuring arts.
The award recognizes individuals whose work has made a significant and lasting impact on the field of magic.
Sisti, a veteran performer with more than three decades of experience in close-up magic, restaurant magic, and theatrical mentalism, along with being the resident magician, together with his wife, Sandy, at Quassy Amusement Park for the last 23 years, described the recognition as “the honor of a lifetime.”
“I’m deeply appreciative and genuinely humbled to receive this award,” Sisti said. “To be included among such stellar company — past and present — is both thrilling and profoundly meaningful. I also want to congratulate my fellow recipients across the various disciplines. I look forward to celebrating with all of you in September.”
The 2026 Milbourne Christopher Awards Presentation will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Garde Arts Center in New London, Connecticut. The annual ceremony brings together leading performers, creators, historians, and innovators in magic to honor excellence and preserve the legacy of Milbourne Christopher, one of the art’s most influential figures.
Sisti extended his gratitude to the Foundation and its committee members. “A heartfelt thank‑you to everyone involved in the selection process. This recognition means more than I can express.”
ABOUT THE MILBOURNE CHRISTOPHER FOUNDATION
The Milbourne Christopher Foundation is dedicated to advancing the art of magic, encouraging excellence, and preserving the legacy of Milbourne Christopher (1914–1984), a renowned magician, author, and historian. The Foundation annually recognizes outstanding contributions in several categories, including close-up magic, stage magic, mentalism, literature, and lifetime achievement.