Business support of arts recognized

By MARY ANN MARGER

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 9, 2001

TAMPA -- The Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts honored top cultural supporters during its annual gala dinner Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Westshore.

Winners were selected in two categories, businesses and individuals through businesses. Nominations were open to the public.

The business winners are:

• Michael Murphy Gallery, small business category, for donating to and securing gift certificates and art for dozens of arts and nonprofit organizations.
• SunTrust Bank, midsize business, for leadership in developing the cultural community through sponsorships and donations, among other things.
• Florida Power, large business, for contributing to many cultural institutions.

Individual Business Volunteer Awards were presented to:

• Marilyn Mars of Arts Impact, for establishing Tampa's gallery hops and other events, and for her work with groups including Gasparilla and Florida Craftsmen.
• Raymond and Nancy Murray of Sea Corp., longtime supporters of groups including the Florida Orchestra and Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• John Wilson of WTVT-CH. 13, for volunteer service to groups including the Florida Orchestra.
• Kristin Passath of EventMakers received a special Innovative Partnership Award for bringing in a national program, "Canstruction," and tying an arts education component to it.

The Distinguished Achievement Award went to TECO Energy Inc. for long-term leadership, vision and commitment to developing arts alliances.

The Impact through the Arts Award, recognizing an artist for voluntarily sharing time and talent, was presented to ceramist Russ Gustafson-Hilton. The award comes with a $1,000 honorarium.

The Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts Inc., an affiliate of the National Business Committee for the Arts, is a nonprofit organization committed to broadening business participation in Tampa Bay area arts and culture.

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