Art Teacher Brannan Lawson of Lake Wales Named the 2024 Arts & Cultural Educator of the Year

Art teacher Brannan Lawson of Hillcrest Elementary School in Lake Wales has been named the 2024 Arts & Cultural Educator of the Year by the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance.

Courtesy City of Lake Wales

Brannan Lawson accepted the Arts and Cultural Educator of the Year award from Daryl Ward, PhD.

In partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council, Lawson spearheaded the Creative Kids Market that creates opportunities for children to combine lessons in art making and entrepreneurship.

"Brannan has been a fantastic arts educator in Lake Wales for ten years," Tommy Frank, executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council said.

The Polk Arts & Cultural Hall of Fame Gala is facilitated by the Polk County Arts & Cultural Alliance, led by a board of directors and Executive Director Daryl Ward, PhD. The awards are given annually to individuals who have significantly contributed to the arts and cultural community in Polk County.

The Polk County Arts & Culture Hall of Fame is a venue for sustained recognition of the cultural arts and heritage contributors from Polk County, recognizing the outstanding talent and benefactors who have made a significant impact on the arts in Polk County. Additionally, it generates interest in artists and enhances efforts to promote Polk County as a destination for the arts.

Courtesy City of Lake Wales

A group of Lake Wales community leaders were present to recognize Brannan Lawson's teaching and the award she received from the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance.

Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Inductees include: Nat Adderley, Melony Bell, Bobby Braddock, Canter Brown, Jr., John R. DeYoung, Jr., Frank Howes, Paul Hughes, Meri Mass, Clifton Lewis, Robert MacDonald, Beth Mason, Milford Myhre, Rick Olivo, Jessie Owens, Richard Powers, Harriet Russ, Norman Small, Jim Stafford and Myrtice Young.

There were six award winners in various categories. In addition to Lawson, other winners were:

• Out of the Box, Lakeland Community Theater, Art for Good Award

• City of Lakeland, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, Arts & Cultural Organization of the Year Award

• Bond Clinic, Philanthropic Organization of the Year award

• Marcia Morse Mullins of the Bartow Art Guild, Arts & Cultural Volunteer of the Year Award

• Chelsea Young, Rising Star Award.

The Polk County Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Exhibit is located on the second floor of the Polk County History Center within the Art & Culture Exhibit.