Captured Event

January, 28 2008 - Arts and Education Council's 17th Annual St. Louis Arts Awards

What: Since 1992, the Arts and Education Council has presented The St. Louis Arts Awards to honor groups and individuals who are integral to the success of the arts in this community. Awards are given in five categories: Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, Corporate Support of the Arts, Excellence in the Arts. Excellence in Philanthropy and Art Educator of the Year. This year’s honorees are especially representative of the diversity and variety of the arts in St. Louis.

Where: Chase Park Plaza Hotel, Khorassan Room

When: January 28, 2008

Time: 6:00 PM

Ticket Prices: $250.00 per person

Beneficiary: Arts and Education Council

Co-Chair(s): Cary Hobbs, Senior VP–Strategy & Business Implementation at Centene Corporation and Bill Donius, Chairman and CEO of Pulaski Bank.

Committee Members: Committee Chairs: Craft Alliance, Tom Manche, Karen Castellano, Patricia Hernandez, Nancy Galvin, Mary Ann Hogan, Peter Sargent. Members: Randy Adams, Cathy Berges, Mark Bernstein, Gene Dobbs Bradford, Cynthia Brinkley, Charlene S. Bry, Barbara Carswell, Jennifer and John Chickey, Allison Collinger, Carol Commerford, Mary Beth Daniels, Glen Gentele, Barbara S. Goodman, Judy Harris, Ron Himes, Mary Ann Hogan, Debra Hollingsworth, Audrey Katcher, Anna Lea Kerckhoff, Joanne Kohn, Nancy and Ken Kranzberg, Jim and Pamela Krekeler, Jack Lane, Joni Lehman, Stephen and Vicki LeResche, Sally Levy, Lucy Lopata, Charles MacKay, Pris McDonnell, Boo McLoughlin, Lisa McMullin, Ann and Charley Meyer, Isabelle Montupet, Susan Musgrave, Christy Nickel, Rudy Nickens, Jane Ott, Deborah J. Patterson, Emily Pulitzer, Paul Reuter, Peggy Ritter, Stephanie Riven, Marsha Rusnack, Peter and Alice Sargent, Glenn Sheffield, Judy Smith, Marilyn Spirt, Phebe Telschow, Jo Throdahl, Steven and Jenny Trampe, Cynthia and Michael Uthoff, Carol Voss, Jim and Phyllis Weidman, Michael Weisbrod, Tom Welch, Donna Wilkinson, Fran Zamler.

Sponsors: Principal Sponsors: The Boeing Company; Edward Jones. Award Sponsors: Brown Shoe Company/Charter Communications; Centene Corporation; Emerson; Nancy and Ken Kranzberg; Monsanto Fund. Cocktail Reception Sponsor: Pulaski Bank. Major Benefactors: Ameren Corporation; AT & T; Fox Associates Foundation; HOK; Macy's; Thompson Coburn LLP. Benefactors: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Brauer; Bryan Cave LLP; Fifth Third Bank; KWMU 90.7; Laclede Gas; Lumiere Place; Novus International, Inc.; Michael and Carol Staenberg in conjunction with THF Realty; Washington University in St Louis; Webster University. Honorees Luncheon Sponsor: The Regional Business Council.

Menu: Haricot Vert Salad with Honey Roasted Capsicum, Canneloni Beans and Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette; Filet Mignon and Crab Meat Cake Accompanied by Sweet Potato Gallette, Salsify and Broccolini; Chocolate Bread Pudding with Sauce Anglaise

Attendance: 650 Guests

Attire: Evening Attire, Business Formal or Cocktail Attire

Information: Carole Bartnett 314-289-4007

Board of Directors: Chairman, James A. Krekeler; Vice Chair, Richard C. D. Fleming; Secretary, Andrew M. Serri; Treasurer, Jill C. Brown; Assistant Treasurer, Audrey L. Katcher; AEC Properties, LLC, Cary Hobbs; By-Laws and Long Planning, Barbara B. Goodman; Development, Charles F. Meyer; Marketing, Cynthia McCafferty; Members-at-Large, Bruce J. Anderson, Connie Buechele, Glenn Sheffield; Nominating and Board Development. Peggy Ritter; Operating Support, Lisa McMullin; Project Grants, Rebecca R. Jackson; Special Events, Nancy Galvin; Sustaining Funding, Peter A. Fanchi. Board of Directors: Randy Adams, Virginia A. Barnes, Gene Dobbs Bradford, Charlene Bry, Debra Denham, Paul Ha, Judy Harris, Kenneth Kranzberg, Joni Wood Lehman, Boo McLoughlin, Kevin Mowbray, Jennah Owens, Eric Rhone, Marsha Rusnack, Peter Sargent, Terry Schnuck, Dan Sescleifer, Judith Cozad Smith, Blanche Touhill, Michael Uthoff, Michael W. Weisbrod, Tom Welch. Ex-Officio, James F. Weidman.

Blacktie Photos by: Harry R. Bean

2008 St. Louis Arts Awards winners with awards.
View all photos

The Arts and Education Council's 17th Annual St. Louis Arts Awards

By Bonnie Riverdahl
Black Tie Staff

On Monday, January 28, 2008 the Chase Park Plaza set the stage for a celebration of achievements in the arts.  More than 600 Guests were on hand as the Arts and Education Council honored groups and individuals integral to the success of the arts in this community with the St. Louis Arts Awards.

The evening began with a 6:00 p.m.cocktail party in the Lindell Room, featuring entertainment by the Carolbeth Trio.  At 7:00 p.m.--to the accompaniment of piano and calliope musician Dwayne Estes-- guests moved into the Khorassan Room to hear the official welcome to the event by William A. Donius, James A. Krekeler, and James F. Weidman, and enjoy a wonderful dinner, complete with live entertainment reflecting the diversity and excitement of the awards.  At 7:45 p.m., Master of Ceremonies Jim Connett--Classic 99 KFU0-FM--took center stage to introduce "A Musical Tribute" by vocalist Mardra Thomas and pianist Phil Dunlap, and begin the awards program. 

Awards were given in five categories.  World-renowned architect Gyo Obata-- whose career in architectural design has spanned the globe over 50 years--was honored for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. Mary Ann Lee's enthusiastic participation as a board member and supporter of numerous arts organizations earned her the Excellence in Philanthropy award. 

The Excellence in the Arts award category was shared by:  Ivor David Balding--founder and artistic director of Circus Flora; Gerald Early, noted essayist, American culture critic and Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters at Washington University; and STAGES St. Louis--a popular, professional musical theatre company devoted to performance, education, and outreach.  Thompson Coburn Law Firm earned the Corporate Support of the Arts designation for contributions in volunteerism and philanthropy.  And the Art Educator of the Year Award was presented to Linda Packard, an art teacher at Reed Elementary School in the Ladue School District. 

During the awards presentation, attendees were delighted by special entertainment by Tino Wallenda and Family, and TeamSTAGES concluded the event on a definite high note, performing "Have A Little Faith". This was truly an upbeat, uplifting evening--by and for some of the key players who bring the arts to life in St. Louis!

The Arts and Education Council is a non-profit organization which raises funds from the private sector to support the arts and arts education activities in the 16-county St. Louis metropolitan area. Since 1992, the St. Louis Arts Awards has played a key role in the Council's ability to fund 80 regional arts and education programs, helping to make this one of the most arts-enriched communities in the country.  Along with investing in arts organizations, the Council also focuses on growing the base of local arts supporters to "keep art happening" here.