On February 17, United Arts Council and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce 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. BB&T, The English Garden, Ben and Lianda Taylor and Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler all received awards at a reception on February 17. Sepi Asefnia, incoming chair of the Greater Raleigh Chamber, joined Eleanor Oakley, President/CEO of United Arts and Helga Leftwich, Chair of the United Arts Board in making the presentations.
BB&T is the recipient of the Large Business award for demonstrated extraordinary support of the arts. The firm has served as a loyal supporter of the North Carolina Theatre since its inception in 1984. BB&T’s investments in North Carolina Theatre total more than $200,000; they have been consistent corporate performance supporters at the $10,000 level each season. Consistent, dependable support for nonprofit arts organizations is critical for long-term success. Without BB&T’s support, in years of deficit as well as years of surplus, North Carolina Theatre would not have been able to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2008. BB&T’s nomination notes that in a time of corporate mergers, failures and foreclosures, “it is a great comfort to have long-standing corporate heroes who continue to make a difference in the work of community organizations like North Carolina Theatre.”
Sepi Asefnia, incoming chair of the Greater Raleigh Chamber
of Commerce and award recipient Cydney Davis-English.
Recipient of the award in the Small Business category,
The English Garden (and its owners Warren English and Cydney Davis-English) is cited for its strong support of Artspace, playing an integral role in the success of Artspace’s annual fundraising event, The Collectors Gala. For the past three years, The English Garden has donated all the table arrangements for this large, successful and elegant event. Since opening in 2006, this locally owned and operated full-service florist has been committed to the arts community and has contributed generously to many other non-profit arts organizations, as well. These include Raleigh Little Theatre, Raleigh Ensemble Players, Burning Coal Theatre, Leesville High School Drama Department and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. The English Garden’s donated floral arrangements are valued at more than $10,000 since 2006. The English Garden was nominated by Artspace and Miriam Blalock.
The honorees in the Individual Category are
Ben and Lianda Taylor, nominated by Artsplosure, which cites the Taylor’s financial support, hands-on involvement and volunteer leadership since its founding 30 years ago. Lianda has served on the Artsplosure board in numerous capacities, one of Artsplosure’s most active and effective public advocates and fundraisers. Over the years, Ben and Lianda have filled many critical festival volunteer shifts and made substantial donations. Ben and Lianda served as honorary chairs of Artsplosure 2005. They were key supporters of Artsplosure’s Oscar Night America fundraising events from 2004 to 2007. The annual holiday party they host for Artplosure’s supporters and the fundraising dinners they have hosted for United Arts Council’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? fundraisers have become highly popular events. The Taylors were also cited for bringing a results-oriented attitude to Artsplosure, along with an insightful strategic vision and tactical understanding. Their nomination notes that the Taylors have given their “work, wealth and wisdom to Artsplosure,” as well as to North Carolina Theater, Theatre in the Park, Raleigh Ensemble Players, Broughton High School Show Choir, and the Wake County School System’s
Pieces of Gold initiative. Taken as a whole, Ben and Lianda Taylor’s overall contributions have helped create Raleigh’s vibrant and progressive arts scene.
Sepi Asefnia, incoming chair of the Greater Raleigh Chamber
of Commerce and award recipient Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler.
The Arts Education awardee is
Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, who began her professional career in arts education in 1982 as a dance and theater teacher at what was then Martin Junior High School. Currently, as the Senior Administrator for Arts Education in the Wake County Public School System, Liz works closely with over 500 arts teachers from all arts disciplines in all grades. Additionally, Liz coordinates two countywide arts events: for 26 years, the highly successful
Pieces of Gold event, which showcases the county’s best art programs for students. In 2002, she teamed with Broadway Series South and produced a student production of
Les Miserables with four performances at Memorial Auditorium. The success of that production led to others in ensuing years. Each time, Liz assembled a team of Broadway professionals to lead Wake students in creating a first-class musical production. Her commitment to arts education extends beyond her school system role: she has served on the boards of Raleigh Little Theatre, Arts Access, Even Exchange Dance Theater, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Since 2003, Liz has been an adjunct faculty member at Meredith College where she teaches future educators how to integrate the arts in elementary classrooms. Since 1984, Liz has been the Technical Director for Chuck Davis and the African-American Dance Ensemble. In 1995, Liz was awarded the City of Raleigh Medal of Arts; in 2002 she was named the Dance Education Administrator of the Year award for of North Carolina; and in 2003, she was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women in the Arts and Entertainment category.
