On October 17, the Arts and Education Council officially began the celebration of the inspiring individuals, organizations and corporations that make our community so vibrant at the 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards Kickoff Cocktail Reception. The event was hosted by Switch, longtime A&E production partner of the past 16 St. Louis Arts Awards. Switch pulled out all the stops, rolling out the red carpet and fog machine and creating life-size posters of each of the honorees (pictured above).

Event co-chairs Susan Block and John H. Russell kicked off the reception with an introduction of the 2018 honorees, followed by remarks from A&E board members Caren Vredenburgh and Janet Newcomb, A&E president and CEO Cynthia A. Prost and Switch president John Nickel. Matt Sorrell of Cocktails are Go! Created signature cocktails in honor of the event.

The 2018 honorees are Johnetta Haley, Music Educator, Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; Dennis M. Reagan, The Muny, Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; Gene Dobbs Bradford, Jazz St. Louis, Excellence in the Arts; Keith Tyrone Williams, Grand Center Arts Academy, Art Educator of the Year; Saint Louis Fashion Fund, Arts Startup of the Year; Art on the Square, Arts Collaboration; and World Wide Technology, Inc., Corporate Support of the Arts.

The Kickoff Cocktail Reception was just a glimpse of the 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards, which will be held on January 22 from 5-9pm at the Chase Park Plaza. The 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards are presented by the Centene Charitable Foundation.

Due to overwhelming demand and interest – the 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards is  Sold Out!  If you would like to make a tribute gift in honor of one of the seven remarkable honorees, click here.  We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for your support for the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.

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