Arts and Education Council Kicks Off 2016 St. Louis Arts Awards

The Arts and Education Council (A&E) kicked off the 2016 St. Louis Arts Awards with a cocktail reception at the beautiful home of Jim and Stacey Weddle, Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The guests and honorees enjoyed delectable hors d’oeuvres and drinks, live acoustic music and remarks from co-hosts Jim and Stacey Weddle, A&E Board Chair Terry Good and A&E President Cynthia Prost. More than one-hundred friends and supporters attended the event officially beginning the festivities for the 25th Anniversary of the St. Louis Arts Awards and welcoming the 2016 honorees, all of whom came. Valued individuals and organizations that already have committed to sponsor the St. Louis Arts Awards received recognition for their tremendous leadership in helping to shape a vibrant arts community for all.

Those being honored in 2016 include: Agnes Wilcox, Prison Performing Arts, Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation, Excellence in Philanthropy; The Bosman Twins, Excellence in the Arts; Bach Society of Saint Louis, Excellence in the Arts; Dr. Tim and Kim Eberlein, Champions of the Arts; Doug Erwin, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Art Educator of the Year; and Dr. Jacquelyn Lewis-Harris, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Arts Collaborator.

“We’re especially excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the St. Louis Arts Awards,” observed Cynthia A. Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council. “Since its inception, the St. Louis Arts Awards have honored more than 145 outstanding artists, educators, businesses, individuals and organizations over the years. It speaks to the incredible vitality of our arts community that we have been able to find such exceptional individuals and organizations to honor each year for 25 years now and this year is no exception.”

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the St. Louis Arts Awards has become the area’s preeminent event honoring individuals, organizations and businesses who achieve a legacy of artistic excellence and enrich St. Louis’ arts and cultural community. The 2016 St. Louis Arts Awards will occur Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Chase Park Plaza beginning with a cocktail reception at 5:30 PM, followed by the dinner and awards at 7:00 PM.

Jim and Stacey Weddle will co-chair the 25th Annual St. Louis Arts Awards. Proceeds from the event benefit the Arts and Education Council’s annual giving campaign which provides financial support, professional development, incubator space and collaborative opportunities for nearly 70 arts and arts education organizations throughout the 16-county, bi-state region. World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation will serve as Presenting Sponsors of the 2016 event.