By Jessie Raynor, Akron Area Arts Alliance Director

The Akron Area Arts Alliance will honor 13 people on November 20 for their creative talents, outstanding leadership and generous support of our local arts and culture community.  The sold-out event will be held Sunday evening at the exciting Stage Door venue of The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall.

Award winners are: Printmaker  PJ Rogers – Lifetime Achievement, Artistic Director Mia Klinger of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet – Dance, Violinist/Founder Amy Barlowe of the Akron Baroque Orchestra – Music, Director/Founder James Slowiak of New World Performance Laboratory – Theatre, Pastel Artist Barbara Gillette – Visual Arts, Classical/Jazz Trumpeter Josh Rzepka – Rising Young Star/ Artist, Founder/Director Benjamin Rexroad of Heads Up Productions — Rising Young Star/Arts Leadership, Weathervane Playhouse’s James Horvath – Volunteer, Roe Green – Arts Patron, Tuesday Musical Association – Outreach, PNC Bank Akron – Business Support, Old Trail School Visual Arts Teacher Patty Wyman – Arts Educator and County of Summit 9/11 Remembrance Art Project – Collaboration.

AAAA will also celebrate its 20^th anniversary Sunday recognizing its founders Ann Brennan and Mary Ann Jackson.  In 1991, the women observed that area arts organizations were struggling with similar challenges.  They believed that fostering understanding and cooperation among the groups would better solve common problems and promote our creative community.  They brought together 12 organizations to form a collaborative arts advocacy group.  Today AAAA boasts 160 members representing 48 organizations plus artists and arts supporters.  The biennial Arts Alive! Awards Celebration was established in 2001 and features entertainment, dinner, the awards presentation plus the unique Out-of-the-Box Auction of decorative boxes designed by top local artists.