Grand Center Presents 2012 Visionary Award Honorees

ST. LOUIS — Grand Center Inc. and presenting sponsor Brown Shoe proudly present the 2012 honorees of the Tenth Annual Visionary Awards, which recognizes outstanding women in the arts who, through their talent, dedication and vision, keep the arts alive and the St. Louis community thriving. The visionaries of 2012 are Gina Alvarez, Mary Jo Bang, Sara Burke, Con Christenson, Kim Eberlein, Lois Ingrum and Susan Uchitelle. The ceremony will be held May 16 at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd.

Grand Center’s Visionary Awards is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the local arts community. Over the past nine years, more than 50 women have been recognized from all parts of the community, including such accomplished women as Nancy Kranzberg, Carol Staenberg, Jill McGuire, Kim Massie, Noemi Neidorff, Joan Lipkin, Barbara Harbach, Ashley Tate, and Jessica Hentoff.

The nominations gathered from the community started with a simple question from Grand Center Inc.: “Have you been inspired by a woman in the arts?” The response brought forth a talented roster of visual artists, musicians, dancers, educators, writers, philanthropists and arts benefactors.

“This event carries such meaning for us in the arts community,” said Marilyn Sheperd, vice president for development at Grand Center Inc. “Day in, day out, these women work tirelessly for the betterment of the arts, and we’re the ones who reap the rewards of their work. Whether it’s from the comfort of our theater seats or the enjoyment of a culturally rich community, we appreciate what they do. This night is about pausing just a moment to say ‘thank you.’”

The 2012 honorees were chosen by a selection committee comprised of fellow distinguished women in the arts and in the community, including former honorees. This year’s committee was chaired by Roseann Weiss, 2009 honoree and director of community art programs and public art initiatives at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission; and Cheryl Walker of Bryan Cave LLP.

The 2012 honorees are, in alphabetical order:

• Emerging Artist: Gina Alvarez, visual artist, printmaking, ceramics and fabrics.
• Lifetime Achievement: Mary Jo Bang, award-winning poet and professor of English at .
• Outstanding Arts Professional: Sara Burke, choreographer, dancer, instructor, photographer, author and arts diversity consultant; founder and director of the City Studio Dance Center.
• Successful Working Artist: Con Christeson, co-founder and managing artist of the  community collabARTive at Peter & Paul Community Services.
• Major Contributor to the Arts: Kim Eberlein, philanthropist, arts advocate and board member of numerous arts organizations in St. Louis.
• Outstanding Arts Educator: Lois Ingrum, photography instructor at the St. Louis Art Museum, Ranken Tech, North St. Louis Art Council and the Public Policy Research Center at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
• President's Award*: Susan Uchitelle, educational consultant and founder of the Confluence Academy Charter Schools in St. Louis.

*Selected by Grand Center Inc. Board President Ken Kranzberg and Grand Center Inc. President and CEO Vince Schoemehl.

Grand Center Inc. created the Visionary Award in 2002 to highlight and honor the wide-ranging work of women artists and arts leaders in the community. In the process, the organization also utilizes the annual awards ceremony to raise funds to support Grand Center Inc.’s arts programs.

The Tenth Annual Visionary Awards, sponsored by Brown Shoe Company, will be held May 16 at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd.

Tickets and corporate sponsorships to this event are open to the public and available through Marcia Quint at Grand Center Inc. 314-289-1583 or marcia@grandcenter.org.

Individual ticket prices are as follows:

• Arts Patron ($125): Listing in program book, cocktail party, reserved seating at awards ceremony, and dessert reception
• Arts Supporter ($55): Cocktail party, open seating at awards ceremony, and dessert reception

Grand Center is the major arts and entertainment district in the St. Louis region and is home to more than 30 arts organizations that demonstrate the depth and diversity of the city’s cultural life. The district hosts more than 1,500 cultural events each year and welcomes over 1.5 million visitors annually. Grand Center’s artistic renaissance began with the restoration of Powell Hall and the Fabulous Fox Theatre and continues today with the growing vitality of restaurants, retail, commercial and residential development.

For more information about Grand Center and Grand Center Inc. visit grandcenter.org.