The Stanly County Arts Council is seeking nominations for the Arts Person of the Year award. This award was created in 2014 by the Arts Council to recognize those who have made a significant positive impact on the arts in Stanly County, and who have worked to support, promote and create quality arts experiences for the whole community. Previous winners include Charlotte Maness, Angela Moore, Wes Tucker, Carmella Hedrick and Tim Harris.

Anyone who lives or works in Stanly County can nominate someone for this award. The nominees should also live or work in Stanly County and should meet the previously mentioned award criteria. You can nominate someone by visiting the Arts Council’s website at www.stanlycountyartscouncil.org and clicking on the “Community Awards” tab. You can also request a Nomination Form by calling 704-982-8118, or emailing stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com. The deadline to nominate someone for this award is Dec. 31.

Along with the Arts Person of the Year award, the Arts Council is also accepting nominations for the Fine Arts Educator of the Year award, affectionately known as the “Jim Kennedy” award in memory of long time arts advocate, teacher and coach, James D. Kennedy.

The award recognizes a fine arts teacher in the Stanly County public school system who has made a positive impact on the arts in education, and who have inspired students to pursue, appreciate and respect the fine arts. Previous winners include Lori Watson, music teacher at Stanfield and Locust Elementary Schools; Michelle Osborne, art teacher at Central Elementary; Stacy Bottoms, art teacher at West Stanly Middle School; Jessica Kiser, band/music teacher at Albemarle Middle School; and Frank Poolos, band director at North Stanly High School.

Nominees for this award can only come from Stanly County Schools principals. Students and parents who know of an exceptional fine arts teacher are encouraged to notify their school principal as soon as possible. Nomination information has already been sent to the schools.

Awards will be presented at the Arts Council’s Celebration of the Arts, scheduled for Feb. 16, 2019, at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. The awards ceremony will be in the auditorium at 2 p.m.

The Celebration of the Arts is open to the public from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The winner of the Arts Person of the Year award will be honored with a $250 donation to the arts group of their choosing in Stanly County. The Jim Kennedy award winner will receive a $250 scholarship to help them purchase classroom supplies and materials.

For the latest information on the arts in Stanly County, visit the www.stanlycountyartscouncil.org. Their office is inside the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, in Suite G.

Call Renee VanHorn, executive director, at 704-982-8118 or email stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com for more information.