TACA’s 2014 Silver Cup recipients were just revealed at Jennifer and John Eagles’ nest. In the crowd that included past Silver Cup recipients (John Eagle, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Diane and Hal Brierley, Kern Wildenthal, Joyce Mitchell, Peggy Sewell, Ruben Esquivel, Patsy Donosky, etc.), Laree Hulshoff and Ben Fischer, Holly Reed, Gillian Breidenbach, Randall Graham, Brent Franks, Lynne and Roy Sheldon, Lee Papert, Simona Beal, Barbara and Stan Levenson and Clint Carlson, the announcement was made by TACA President of the Board Nancy Carlson.
But this year instead of doing it high atop the Eagle’s spiral staircase, it was made in the gallery with a backdrop of modern art and the outdoor pool. John apologized for not preventing the landscape crew from doing a buzz cut on the lawn.
Oh, who were the 2014 honorees? They are Holly Mayer and Lucilo Peña. If these names aren’t front row in your memory banks, don’t admit it. Because those-in-the-know are well aware of their contributions to the arts community. If you’re one of those who have to have the deets, follow the jump and you’ll realize why Holly and Lucilo will be honored at the Hilton Anatole on Monday, March 3.
The Silver Cup was established by the late Annette Strauss “to recognize one man and one woman for their outstanding contributions to the arts in Dallas.”
Holly Mayer has been a generous philanthropist to performing arts and cultural organizations, including The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Dallas Arboretum. Along with her husband Tom, she has worked behind the scenes for decades to build Dallas’ vibrant cultural community, devoting countless volunteer hours to organizations and contributing to their success. In addition to her own efforts as an arts volunteer, she has inspired many others to lend their support, as well.
Mayer has served as The Dallas Opera Board of Directors’ vice president for development, at which time the organization realized a 50 percent increase in annual giving for a two-year period due to her strategic focus and dedicated efforts. In addition to development work, she served on the DSO’s executive committee and on the board of governors. For the Dallas Arboretum, she has served on the finance committee and Chihuly at the Arboretum.
She is the Executive Director/President of the Productive Rehabilitation Institute of Dallas for Ergonomics (PRIDE). Married to Dr. Tom Mayer, she is the mother of two adult children.
Joyce Mitchell, community volunteer and recipient of the 1998 Silver Cup Award said, “Holly has led and worked alongside some of Dallas’ most influential and generous philanthropists who happily join her in the work to enrich our community’s cultural life. She has worked quietly, and she never seeks recognition, making her even more deserving of this honor.”
Lucilo Peña has been a tireless and constant presence in the arts in North Texas for a number of years. He serves on several boards that promote building vibrant environments where urban life can flourish, especially in the Dallas Arts District.
Peña is a founding member of the Development Excellence Committee for the North Texas Council of Governments. He is a trustee of the Dallas Museum of Arts and chair of the building committee. He also serves as a director of the Dallas Architectural Forum, and is a member of Downtown 360 for the City of Dallas, and Cornell University’s Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. He serves on the program advisory committee for the Nasher Sculpture Center, and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council for the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
A trained architect, Peña is president of Billingsley Development Company. He specializes in mixed-use pedestrian-friendly project that emphasize connectively and contextually define the public realm. He and his partner Lee were early proponents of the Dallas Arts District and reside in the area.
John Eagle, 2011 Silver Cup Award Recipient, stated, “Lucilo has been a tireless supporter of the arts in North Texas. He is a bridge builder who quietly works to connect the talented people of our community and inspire them to do great things for local arts and culture. I’m thrilled to call Lucilo my friend and know that many other join me in congratulating him.”