OUT 197--THE ST LOUIS VISIONARY AWARDS@ SUN THEATER IN GRANDEL SQUARE APRIL 27

Photos by Ma'atology

                            The evening began with a piano interlude before the awards started.

                                   

                                                           The awards displayed on stage.

Co-Chair Sara Burke welcomed everyone to the event and regarding the purpose of the awards and using art to make a statement about the community she referred to legendary dancer/educator Katherine Dunham, whom she studied under,  "If you cant do it through the arts then you can't do it."

                                                                     The audience.

                          Opening up the awards was Broadway actress/singer Sara
                    Sheperd who sang  the tune "Beautiful" from the Carole King musical.

Co-hosting the awards were Co-Chair Kim Eberlein and awards planner Donna Adrienne Davis.

The first honoree was Amy Kaiser, director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, who was given the Successful Working Artist Award.

                                          Kaiser holding her award with Eberlein and Davis.

                  Kaiser thanked everyone who helped her in her career in the symphony.

                                         Kaiser has been with the symphony for 20 years.

Next honoree was Atty. Freida Wheaton , founder of the Alliance of Black Art Galleries, who received the  Community Impact Award for their contribution to the arts in response to the civil unrest in Ferguson. Here she holds her award with Davis and Eberlein.

                                       Wheaton was very thankful for receiving the award.

She tied in her speech  with the unrest in Ferguson and all the police unrest involving
black men including Eric Garner and Freddie Gray.

The next honoree was philanthropist Thelma Steward who received the Major Contributor 
to the Arts Award

                                 Steward holding her award with Davis and Eberlein.

                              Steward was very emotional when she received her award.

She thanked God and her husband, David Steward whom she called her rock and had
a special guest to come to the stage to perform a song that reflected her life.


And the guest was:

                      Singer Denise Thimes who performed  Cece Winans' song "For Always"

                                         Thimes put much soul into this gospel moment.

Next honoree was Kelly Pollock executive director of Center of Creative Arts (COCA), who 
received the Outstanding Arts Professional Award.

                                        Pollock holding her award with Davis and Eberlein.

                                    Pollock was very honored to receive the award.

                                   She thanked her husband for his support in her career.

                        Next honoree was Shualee Cook a playwright, who received  
                                              the Emerging Artist Award.

                                        Cook holding her award with Eberlein and Davis.

Cook, who is transgendered, thanked the awards committee for having the courage
to nominate her for the award.

Cook said, "Thank you for not being afraid to sitting in the dark," referring to those
who have come to see her stageplays.

                                         Performing spoken word was Cheeraz Gormon.

Her poem was dedicated to strong women in general and their plight as women.

Next honoree was Ilene Berman, founder of NODhouse, who received the Community Arts Educator Award.

                                      Berman holding her award with Eberlein and Davis.

                                          Berman's speech was very political and artsy.

She said that the community needs to rally around the arts, finding a home for the 
Black Repertory Company and support the raising of black boys.

The last honoree was Cecilia Nadal , founder of Gitana Productions received the Community Impact Award for her contribution to the arts in response to the civil unrest in Ferguson.

                                     Nadal holding her award with Eberlein and Davis.

Nadal's speech had a touch of social commentary regarding her role in the arts in
the community since moving to St Louis in 1968.

  

She said the arts "brings people together in an authentic way." She also said she 
does not like the whole idea of being sophisticated because it equals to fakeness 
but the arts are a "vehicle to get people of all ethnicities together." She also
promoted her uopciming play "Black and Blue" regarduing the Ferguson unrest.

Thimes and Sheperd performed an impromptu version of Aretha's "Natural Woman."

                           Thimes and Sheperd was the highlight of the evening with their duet.

                        The audience gave a standing ovation to the duet and the honorees.

A picture of the awardees from LEFT: Steward, Wheaton, Kaiser, Berman, Cook, Nadal and Pollock.

                                             Nadal with some of her family and students.'

                                                      Burke with awardee Steward,

                             Honorees Steward and Nadal share a conversation after the event,.



Below are pics from the afterparty held in a tent next to the venue.

                                              Wheaton taking  a pic with a supporter.

                                  Attendees Charles Brown and fiancee Naretha Hopson.

St Louis Post Dispatch Fashion Editor Debra Bass in conversation with some of 
the guests.

Events planner Marilyn Sheperd taking a pic with honoree Pollock.

Thimes holding a conversation with Grand Center Arts Academy instructor Keith Tyrone Williams.

                                                         A poster of the honorees.

FIN.