The Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis announced today that the founder of a transformative theater program, a jazz duo and an UMSL associate professor are on the list of its 2016 awardees.
The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Agnes Wilcox, the former director of Prison Performing Arts, which she founded 22 years ago. The prison arts group involves inmates and former prisoners in theater, at locations that include a juvenile detention center, two men’s prisons and a women’s prison.
Wilcox also founded a traveling company called the New Theatre, which she directed for 14 years. She’s not only an actor and director but a longtime activist and professor, who’s taught at Webster University and Washington University as well as New York University and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center.
Local jazz musicians the Bosman Twins received the Excellence in the Arts Award.
Dwayne and Dwight Bosman have been performing since the age of 14. They have entertained audiences around the world, and shared a stage with the likes of Freddie Cole, Branford Marsalis and Fontella Bass.
In a news release, Cynthia Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council, said the area is “rich with individuals and organizations committed to the arts, and these honorees represent this deep passion within our community.”
“Each of these individuals and organizations are true 'makers' of our community’s vitality – through their selfless contributions of time, talent and treasure,” Prost said.
Here’s a full list of the 2016 A & E Council winners:
- Agnes Wilcox, Prison Performing Arts, Lifetime Achievement in the Arts
- Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation, Excellence in Philanthropy
- The Bosman Twins, Excellence in the Arts
- The Bach Society, Excellence in the Arts
- Dr. Tim and Kim Eberlein, Champions of the Arts
- Doug Erwin, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Art Educator of the Year
- Dr. Jacquelyn Lewis-Harris, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Arts Collaborator
The awards banquet will be held in January 2016 at the Chase Park Plaza.
Follow Nancy Fowler on Twitter: @NancyFowlerSTL
