Lake Wales Arts Council Staff Honor Volunteers

The critical importance of volunteers who help to keep the Lake Wales Arts Council and its many programs running was emphasized by director Tommy Frank at a special reception organized to thank those who step up to support the efforts of the Council. Each volunteer present was awarded a certificate and a custom, artistically hand-crafted ceramic mug.

The Monday evening reception at the Arts Center drew a small crowd how shared refreshments and conversation before Fran presented an outline of the many programs the Council offers and the roles played by the volunteers. Frank hopes to expand the numbers of volunteers before the start of the busy winter season.

August alone features four efforts, including setting up the lower-level gallery for "Floridian Fire - Contemporary Ceramics in the Sunshine State," a show featuring the best ceramicists in Florida. Other August activities include working in the center's own ceramics studio, and "fairs" involving students from both Warner University and McLaughlin School of Excellence, a local fine arts academy serving middle and high school students.

"You are the people that help make this happen," Frank told volunteers before running through a list of coming activities requiring volunteers both in and outside the center. Among those are two musical events hosted at Bok Tower Gardens as part of the "Concert Under the Stars" series. Volunteers earn free admission to concerts and other activities.

Also upcoming on the busy arts calendar are participation in the annual Pioneer Days festivities in October, and the Council's own Lake Wales Arts Festival, a juried show that takes place in the spring on the shores of Lake Wailes.

Volunteer shifts at events are two to four hours long. Those interested in volunteer opportunities are invited to contact the Lake Wales Arts Council>/a> through their website, by email at [email protected], or phone (863) 676-8426. The Arts Center is located at 1099 State Road 60 East in Lake Wales, FL 33853.