Florence Regional Arts Alliance Seeks Nominations for Art Awards

 The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is currently seeking nominations from the community to recognize the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of the community. Nominations are requested from individuals and will be awarded by the Florence Regional Arts Alliances Board of Directors.  The submission deadline is March 31.

To submit a nomination, community members are asked to either complete an online form  here. or to compose and mail a statement to the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Written statements should indicate who is being nominated, for which award and a few statements describing why the nomination is being made. Those submitting nominations should provide their name and contact information as well, should their nomination be selected to receive an award. Nomination letters should be addressed to: The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, PO Box 3871 ,Florence, SC 29502-3871

Nominations from Florence County are requested from the public for the following categories: 

The John Baker Award Recipient

The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual from Florence County who has significantly impacted the quality of life in our community through his/her activities, contributions, and/or accomplishments in the arts.

The Business & Partnership Award Recipient

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient

This award is presented annually to the Florence County arts organization that has a tremendous impact on the community. This may be through programming, projects, resource development, advocacy or other innovation. No organization may win this award twice in a four year period.

The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient


This award is presented annually to an educator who either resides or works in Florence County. Public and private schools educators are eligible for this award, as well as individuals in higher education and those who teach through registered 501(c)(3) arts organizations.

The awards presented will themselves be works of art by a local artist. The Arts Alliance’s Awards Committee is pleased to announce its Arts Awards Artist for 2015 is Mr. Jim Gleason. His sculptures are fabricated from the parts of many different musical instruments. Several of these instruments served many years in the South Carolina school system until they were no longer cost effective to service. “The urge to create combines with a reverence for musical instruments, and the desire to preserve whatever life remains in the parts and pieces of an instrument,” says Gleason in his artist statement. His work may be seen at http://jngleason.com. 

Awards will be presented at a special awards event in late spring. For more information about the FRAA’s Awards Program visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or contact Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at director@florenceartsalliance.org or 843.407-3092. 

November 6: Small Works Awards Reception

Awards will be presented to artists this evening. Juror Kara Warren selected 40 pieces from over 60 entries for this intimate collection of local talent. Kara is a native of Huntsville, Alabama and currently works as a Preventive Conservation Specialist for the historic Biltmore Estate. An artist, herself she has exhibited her work nationally and lectured on art and conservation in universities and museum campuses. 

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance invites you to see if your favorite works of art match the juror's selection. All artwork is for sale and benefits the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and the individual artist.

The show runs from October 28 through November 20. It is housed at the Art Trail Gallery at 185 West Evans Street in Florence.

This show is made possible by the generous support and donation of International Kinfe & Saw, Inc. Supporting the professional development of the artist, the arts community, the Florence Downtown effort and the Arts Alliance.

2014 Florence Regional Arts Alliance Winners

The 2014 Florence Regional Arts Alliance Award Winners 

Submit Your Nominations for the 2014 Arts Awards Now!

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is currently accepting nominations for its 2014 Arts Awards. For 2014, four awards will be presented. More information about the awards can be found below.

The deadline for 2014 Arts Awards nominations is March 15, 2014.

Award nominations should be submitted by email to peedeearts@gmail.com.  An acceptable nomination will include the following:

Name of Nominee
Name of Nominator
Nominator's Phone Number
Reason for Nomination (approximately one paragraph)

You can now make your nominations online. Click here to view the nomination form.

Below is information about each award.

John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award

The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual from Florence County who has significantly impacted the quality of life in our community through his/her activities, contributions, and/or accomplishments in the arts. Any individual may be nominated with the exception of current members of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance Board of Directors or Staff.

The 2013 Baker Award recipient was Jane Madden.

Business & Arts Partnership Award

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

The 2013 Business & Arts Partnership Award winner was Honda of SC.

Outstanding Arts Organization Award

This award is presented annually to the Florence County arts organization that has a tremendous impact on the community. This may be through programming, projects, resource development, advocacy or other innovation. No organization may win this award twice in a four year period.

The 2013 Outstanding Arts Organization Award went to Florence Little Theatre.

The Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award (new in 2014)

This award will be presented annually to an educator who either resides or works in Florence County. Public and private schools educators are eligible for this award, as well as individuals in higher education and those who teach through registered 501(c)(3) arts organizations.

For more information about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's Awards Program, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.

Make Your Nominations for FRAA's 2014 Arts Awards Now!

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is currently accepting nominations for four Florence County awards:  The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award, The Business & Arts Partnership Award, the Outstanding Arts Organization Award and the inaugural Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award.

The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2014.  Award nominations should be submitted by email to peedeearts@gmail.com.  An acceptable nomination will include the following:

Name of Nominee

Name of Nominator

Nominator's Contact Information

Reason for Nomination (approximately one paragraph)

You can now make your nominations online.  Click here to view the nomination form.

Below are descriptions of each award:

John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award

The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual from Florence County who has significantly impacted the quality of life in our community through his/her activities, contributions, and/or accomplishments in the arts.  Any individual may be nominated with the exception of current members of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance Board of Directors or Staff.

The 2013 Baker Award recipient was Jane Madden.

Business & Arts Partnership Award

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

The 2013 Business & Arts Partnership Award winner was Honda of SC.

Outstanding Arts Organization Award

This award is presented annually to the Florence County arts organization that has a tremendous impact on the community.  This may be through programming, projects, resource development, advocacy or other innovation.  No organization may win this award twice in a four year period.

The 2013 Outstanding Arts Organization Award went to Florence Little Theatre.

The Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award (new in 2014)

This award will be presented annually to an educator who either resides or works in Florence County.  Public and private schools educators are eligible for this award, as well as individuals in higher education and those who teach through registered 501(c)(3) arts organizations. 

For more information about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's Awards Program, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

Honda received the 2013 Business & Arts Partnership Award from FRAA

Honda received the 2013 Business & Arts Partnership Award from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance.  Click on the image below to learn more about the award and Honda's contributions to the arts and arts organizations in Florence County.

To see a list of all of FRAA's 2013 Arts Awards winners, click here.

To learn more about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, click here.

Florence Little Theatre received the 2013 Outstanding Arts Organization Award from FRAA

The Florence Little Theatre received the 2013 Outstanding Arts Organization Award from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance.  Check out the video below to learn more about the award and to hear Keith Best explain why FLT was chosen as the 2013 recipient.

To see a list of all of FRAA's 2013 Arts Awards winners, click here.

To learn more about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, click here.

Bill Kress received the 2013 Frank Crow Award from FRAA

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance recently presented the Frank Crow Award to Bill Kress.  Kress has served the organization in various capacities, including treasurer, committee chair and board member, for over 12 years.  

The Frank Crow Award, presented for the first time in 2013, will be presented annually to an FRAA board member, staff member of volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization over the last year or a longer period of time.  

To see a list of all of FRAA's 2013 Arts Awards winners, click here.

To learn more about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, click here.

Check out the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's 2013 Arts Awards Video

Click on the image above to view the 

Florence Regional Arts Alliance's 2013 Arts Awards Video!

FRAA announces its 2013 Arts Awards

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently announced its 2013 Arts Awards recipients.  Among the winners were two local arts leaders, one arts organization and a global corporation.  “We’re very fortunate in Florence County to have more worthy candidates than awards to give away,” said Quincy Kennedy, President of FRAA.  “We feel like our Board did a great job in narrowing down the nominations we received from the community; it’s not an easy task though,” Kennedy remarked.  

Jane Madden, the engine behind the Art Trail Gallery’s quick and continued success, received the John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award.  Madden’s efforts over the last five years have been a major factor in the “people side” of Florence’s downtown revitalization.  “As improvements are continuously being made downtown, Jane is one of the main people promoting events and encouraging folks to visit our revitalized downtown,” said Kennedy.  

The Florence Little Theatre received the Outstanding Arts Organization Award from FRAA.  “Most people are aware of the great shows FLT produces.  Not everyone is aware of the outstanding programming they put on for young people and for lifelong learners through their Senior Readers Group.  The impact FLT has on Florence County is truly amazing,” said Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of FRAA.  

The Business & Arts Partnership Award recipient for 2013 is Honda of South Carolina.  Honda, which operates out of Timmonsville, supports several community-based programs, projects and events, both arts and non-arts-related.  “Honda’s continuous support of the arts, and the Arts Alliance, is why they are receiving this award,” said Kennedy.  Honda partners with FRAA to present the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to Florence County’s public high schools.  Honda also funds FRAA’s quarterly grants program, which disburses money to organizations, artists and teachers throughout Florence County.  

The inaugural Frank Crow Service Award winner is Bill Kress.  Kress, a long-time Florence Regional Arts Alliance board member, staff member and volunteer, worked with Frank Crow and was honored to receive the award. “This award means alot to me because it has Frank’s name on it,” said Kress.  Crow served as FRAA’s director from 2003-2012 before medical issues forced him into retirement.  The Crow Award will be presented annually to an FRAA board member, staff member or volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization.  

In 2014, FRAA will add a fifth award to its lineup.  The Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award will be presented in May of next year.  More information about the award will be announced soon.  

To honor the winners, FRAA produced a series of videos.  Visit floscarts.org or http://vimeo.com/channels/peedeearts to view the videos.

For more information about these awards or any other Florence Regional Arts Alliance program, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.