The Akron Area Arts Alliance has selected 14 award winners to be honored for their outstanding achievement in dance, music, theatre and visual arts as well as outstanding leadership and generous support of our local arts and culture community. They are:
Lifetime Achievement Marcianne Herr
Outstanding Artist in Dance Amy Miller, dancer/choreographer
Outstanding Artist in Music Jerry Wong, pianist
Outstanding Artist in Theatre Jim Volkert, actor
Outstanding Visual Artist Miller Horns
Rising Young Star/Artist Christopher James Lees, Associate Conductor/Akron Symphony Orchestra & Music Director/Akron Youth Symphony
Rising Young Star/Leadership Andrea Wlaszyn
Arts Volunteer Award James R. Urban
Arts Patron Award Cynthia Knight
Outreach Award Children’s Concert Society
Business Support DCI Printing
Civic Leadership Award Ronald C. Allan
Arts Educator Award George Pope, Professor of Flute at The University of Akron
Collaborative Project Award Fuze! Series - Akron Art Museum & Tuesday Musical Assn.
“It takes a committed community to keep arts and culture vibrant and flourishing,” said arts alliance director Jessie Raynor. “This is our opportunity to celebrate people who help bring excitement to our lives and also boost our area’s economic development and growth through the arts.”
Founded in 1991, Akron Area Arts Alliance is a 160-member advocacy organization representing museums, visual and performing arts groups, theatres, university fine arts departments, arts education programs, individual artists and arts supporters. The biennial Arts Alive! Awards began in 2001 and feature entertainment, dinner, an awards presentation plus the unique Out-of-the-Box Auction of decorative boxes designed by top local artists. It will be held at Portage Country Club on Sunday, November 15 from 5 to 8 pm. People interested in receiving invitations can call 330-376-8480. Ticket price is $85. Proceeds support the arts alliance and its Summit Artspace Gallery.
Major event sponsors are the Brennan Family Foundation and OMNOVA Solutions Foundation. The event chairpersons are Jill Bacon Madden of Hudson and Andrea Wlaszyn of Kent. Joan Colbert of West Akron is chairing the Out-of-the-Box Auction and Pat Sargent of West Akron chaired the judging committee.
