Seventh Annual Visionary Awards May 6, 2009

Grand Center, Inc. is proud to host the Seventh Annual Visionary Awards, which recognizes women for their contributions to the St. Louis arts and culture community. The ceremony and cocktail reception will be held at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. The Sheldon is located at 3648 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 in the Grand Center Arts District.

The Visionary Awards is differentiated because it recognizes women who have not only been successful in their discipline, but have demonstrated a unique vision to further the arts in new and innovative ways.

The 2009 award winners include:
President’s Award: Donna Wilkinson, one of St. Louis’ key fundraisers and longtime supporter of the Grand Center Arts District;
Lifetime Achievement Award: Judith Aronson, a longtime local and national advocate and philanthropist for the arts and education;
Major Contributor to the Arts: Carol Staenberg, through the Staenberg Family Foundation, has donated more than $3 million over the past few years to various organizations;
Outstanding Arts Professional: Roseann Weiss, Director of Community Arts Training and Director of the Community Art Programs & Public Art Initiatives for the Regional Arts Commission;
Successful Working Artist: Edna Patterson-Petty, a working fiber artist and professor of Art Therapy at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville;
Emerging Artist (age 22+): Nicole Lemkemeier, a graduate of Washington University and owner of Mirthworks, specializing in hand-painted tile mosaics installations; and
Outstanding Arts Educator: Jessica Hentoff, Artistic and Executive Director of Circus Harmony/Circus Day Foundation and founder of the St. Louis Arches.

As evidenced by responses and input from the community, the Visionary Awards has quickly become one of the most prestigious awards for arts and culture in the St. Louis area. Past honorees include Mary Strauss, Nancy Kranzberg, Mae Wheeler, Joan Lipkin, Jill McGuire and the 2006 National Honoree Jenna Fischer, star of the sitcom, The Office, among others.

Reservations and sponsorships can be made by calling Rachel Beatty at 314-289-1517 or emailing rbeatty@grandcenter.org.

Official Website: www.grandcenter.org