WS Chronicle

The 2013 Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County awards were presented last week to Lynn and Barry Eisenberg, Festival Stage and State Rep. Edward Hanes Jr.

The N.C. Black Repertory Company’s Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin presented the Arts Council Award, which honors a person or persons who have exhibited a strong commitment to service and made a significant impact and contribution to the local arts community, to the Eisenbergs.  The husband and wife team have served on numerous boards and provided leadership and support to countless fundraising committees and events, including the opening of the Stevens Center in 1982.

Arts Council Board member Cheryl Lindsay presented the Arts Development Award to Festival Stage. This award – and the $1,000 grant that comes with it – recognizes a first-time innovative, collaborative project between at least one Arts Council-funded partner and one or more community organizations designed to attract new arts and cultural audiences to participate in events in Forsyth County. Pedro Silva accepted the award on behalf of Festival Stage.

Festival Stage produced “33 Variations,” a music-filled psychological drama of a young woman struggling with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), in partnership with the Wake Forest University Theatre Department.

Open Dream Ensemble General Manager Rebecca Nussbaum presented Hanes with the the R. Philip Hanes Jr. Young Leader Award, which is given to a person 40 or younger who has exemplified volunteer dedication and leadership and furthered the missions of arts and cultural entities of the community. The award is named for the late arts patron Phil Hanes, who is not related to Ed Hanes.

Beyond his board service, which includes the Winston-Salem Symphony, Twin City Stage, Piedmont Opera and the Winston-Salem Children’s Museum, Hanes has helped ensure that communities and children, no matter their economic circumstance, are exposed to the arts.  He launched Winston-Salem Arts Magazine to provide a way for aspiring artists and arts organizations to have their work showcased.  As a legislator, Hanes fought for the arts in Raleigh to ensure arts programs were not unduly impacted by budget cuts.

Nussbaum described Hanes as one of the most vocal supporters of the arts in Raleigh.

“Promoting the arts is a seven-day a week mission in both his personal and professional life,” she said, noting that he and his family have established the O. Frank and Evelyn Hanes Foundation for the Arts & Education to bring arts performances into underserved communities. “He is a role model for young leaders in our community.”