The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County announced last week during its Annual Meeting that it topped its $2,350,000 annual campaign goal.
Tom Ingram, Arts Council chair, noted that raising $2.35 million for the arts in a “sluggish economy” was a remarkable accomplishment.
A number of awards were also presented at the meeting.
Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin, director of the Forsyth County Public Library system, received this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Sprinkle has been involved in numerous community programs and initiatives, including Youth Opportunities, Family Services, Diggs Gallery of Winston-Salem State University and the Winston-Salem Children’s Museum. She served as volunteer coordinator from 1991 to 2007 for the National Black Theatre Festival, and was executive producer in 2007, 2009 and 2011. She also serves as president of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, and as a trustee of the Coliseum Theatre Association for Performing Arts.
The R. Philip Hanes Jr. Young Leader Award was presented to Rebecca Nussbaum, founding member and general manager of the Open Dream Ensemble. Nussbaum has spent countless hours teaching youth the importance of responsibility, learning, teamwork, determination, and imagination. She is a fellow for the A+ Schools Program, a role she has filled since 2008.
Hanesbrands’ Cheryl Lindsay presented two awards that recognize positive collaborations between various arts, social service and other non-profit organizations in Forsyth County.
The Arts Development Award went to the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus and Piedmont Opera for their collaboration on a summer camp for young people that featured singing, costuming, theater, and a free opera performance for the students and community. The Arts Knowledge-Sharing Award went to Reynolda House and the Enrichment Center who produced a show of original works by local professional artists and Enrichment Center artists, responding to the themes in the Reynolda House “Modern Masters” exhibition.
The Arts Council also honored Lynn Foltz, a long-time Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system administrator and arts advocate. Foltz is retiring as the Arts Education Program manager with responsibility for dance, theater and visual arts programs.
Members of The Arts Council’s Facilities Committee – Bill Benton, Mary Benton, Libby Booke, Anna Gallimore, Redge Hanes, Bob Hoffman, Tom Ingram, Hal Johnson, Doug Lewis and Errol Wint – were honored for exceptional service.
