Business Support of the Arts Awards Announced for 2007

 
 
Raleigh, N.C. -- United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, Inc. and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce have named recipients of the annual Business Support of the Arts Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the arts in our area by businesses, organizations, and individuals. Awards are given in four categories: large business, small business, individual and arts education.
 
The United Arts Council's mission is to build better communities through support and advocacy of the arts. The mission of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is to sustain and further develop a thriving economy and to enhance our community's quality of life.
 
For more information about the awards ceremony, call 839-1498, ext. 226.
 
Recipient of the award in the Small Business category, Greg Paul Builders is cited for their support of Burning Coal Theatre Company and in particular for their commitment to the Murphey School renovation as the new home for Burning Coal. Support with time and resources for the Raleigh City Museum and Habitat for Humanity were also cited. Greg Paul is an active participant in a number of theatre projects in the community and has been an active board member. He served as president of the board for Burning Coal for two years. Paul is praised as dedicated to advancing the arts in Raleigh as an advisor, collaborator, actor and friend.
 
Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP (Smith Anderson) is the recipient of the Large Business award for demonstrated extraordinary support of the arts. The firm has contributed strong financial and human resources to many arts organizations and projects for many years. Members of the firm, Raleigh's largest law firm, sit on boards of directors and committees of a multitude of arts organizations, logging over 350 hours of pro bono service to area arts groups.
 
The honorees in the Individual Category are Margery and Earl Johnson, Jr. who are described as "strong and supportive leaders and front line participants in the arts in Wake County for many years." Both have served on numerous boards and are benefactors of many arts organizations. Their time, energy and philanthropy have helped to build a vibrant arts community.
 
The Arts Education awardee is Mrs. Vicki Perry, principal of Harris Creek Elementary and formerly of Douglas Creative Arts and Science Magnet Elementary School. Her accomplishments as a successful grant writer to fund multi-grade projects to integrate the arts into the core curriculum and her support of creative expression and various art forms to facilitate learning are major reasons for her selection. Her leadership has forged strong relationships between arts specialists and classroom teachers, providing opportunities for all disciplines to share and communicate their expertise and offer children the best opportunity to learn with the use of art as a tool for instruction.