The Arts Alliance Mountain Empire sponsors annual Arts Achievement Awards which recognize living individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in the region.
This year's winners are Laken Bridges, Jack Hinshelwood, Tricia Matthews, Mary Munsey and Glenn Patterson.
This year's gala will be held Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Bristol Convention Center, Bristol, Virginia. The event include cocktails, dinner, live music, silent auction and the award presentation. Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight (includes one drink, cash bar available).
Tickets can be purchased hereor send your request to P.O. Box 94, Bristol, TN 37621.
The five annual award winners come from these categories: Artist—achievement in theater, music, dance, visual arts,or literary arts; Arts Educator—achievement in arts education in a college or university, primary or secondary school; Arts Administrators—achievement in the management of arts institutions; and Arts Advocates—achievement in sustaining the arts through volunteering or financial support.
The nominees should reside in the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Virginia, or Bristol, Tennessee; Washington and Sullivan Counties in Tennessee; or Washington County, Virginia.
The nominations process begins in January, the winners are chosen in March, and there is a gala celebration in May of each year.