Photos by Maria Lamb | Hyla Crane, recipient of MIFA’s 2021 Artist of the Year Award, with MIFA Board members and previous MIFA Artist of the Year Award recipients.
On Wednesday, May 19th, Marco Island Foundation for the Arts, (MIFA) Board Members, past Artists of the Year recipients and an intimate group of family and friends gathered at the Marco Island Center for the Arts to honor Hyla Crane, Executive Director for the Center for the Arts, as MIFA’s 2021 Artist of the Year.
Congratulations to Hyla Crane, MIFA’s 2021 Artist of the Year.
For 2020, MIFA missed being able to celebrate the Artist of the Year with its traditional spring luncheon. For 2021, with some easing of COVID restrictions, the brief ceremony was held at The Center for the Arts with the colorful backdrop of stunning modern quilts. The award was presented by MIFA President, Karen Swanker, to the surprise of recipient, Hyla Crane. Hyla received a framed certificate, bouquet of flowers and a gift certificate to Hyla’s favorite shoe company.
According to Swanker, “Hyla has been nominated before but this year is very special as there is only one Hyla Crane and she deserves to be the MIFA 2021 Artist of the Year.” Swanker proceeded to read portions of a very special letter of nomination.
“I had the opportunity to work with Ms. Crane from 2014 to the present. At Marco Island Center for the Arts, we constantly find ways to show the expanded definition of ART. Hyla is an arts administrator, art educator, amateur artist and arts advocate.” This was written by Rosemary Wick in 2019, serving as Board President for the Marco Center for the Arts for five years and who passed away in September 2019.
Rosemary’s letter continued to say that “Hyla Crane has been instrumental in revitalizing the Center for the Arts, which had been in a period of struggle prior to her arrival.” Wick also added, “Arts education is central to the Art Center’s mission and has proved to be Ms. Crane’s passion. The robust offering of adult classes and workshops enables mature students to develop their skills, find purpose and self-esteem and connect with a social community of like-minded individuals.”
- Hyla Crane wore a very special necklace with a locket bearing the wedding photos of Rosemary and Michael Wick. Rosemary Wick was Board President for the Center for the Arts for five years and wrote the special letter of recommendation to MIFA, which was read by Karen Swanker. Rosemary passed away in September 2019.
A tearful Hyla accepted the award saying “it is a privilege to stand amongst you artists. We have worked together with MIFA since 2014 and as the Center moves forward, it is the goal for the Center for the Arts to be able to offer free children’s programs and we also see a new beginning towards accessibility, inclusion and diversity.”
MIFA President Karen Swanker, a tearful Hyla Crane, and Linda Kowalczyk of the Calusa Garden Club.
Linda Kowalczyk, a Calusa Garden Club (CGC) member, read portions of their nomination letter for Hyla Crane. According to Kowalczyk, “one has only to look at the Center for the Arts monthly event calendar to learn that it takes a team of experts working together to present the varied art, music, performance and community events listed. As Executive Director, Hyla Crane manages the activities, classes, performances and exhibits with the assistance of a very dedicated staff.”
Previous MIFA Artists of the Year were Malenda Trick 2014, Tara O’Neill 2015, J. Robert Houghtaling 2016, Austin Bell 2017, Gina Sisbarro-Penzo 2018, Sherri Morrison 2019 and Marie Senechal 2020.
MIFA has been a non-profit, all volunteer organization on Marco Island since 2003. MIFA’s mission is to promote the visual, literary, and preforming arts in public places on Marco Island.
MIFA currently sponsors the Left Bank Art Fest held at the Esplanade, the Brushes and Paint and Beyond outdoor art show and sale held at the Marco Island Historical Museum and a Movie Fest series. Themes for the films are usually art, music, theater, and dance inspired.
According to MIFA’s website, the arts can only continue to grow and survive with help and encouragement for our future artists. So, proceeds from their events go toward MIFA’s scholarship and grant funds. Each spring, eligible local students who are enrolled in higher education of the arts can apply to receive assistance from MIFA. These awards go toward helping defray the cost of their higher education.
"artist" - Google News
May 27, 2021 at 11:09AM
https://ift.tt/2RRYmFz
MIFA's 2021 Artist of the Year! - coastalbreezenews.com
"artist" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2FwLdIu
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "MIFA's 2021 Artist of the Year! - coastalbreezenews.com"
Post a Comment