With the 2018 Obelisk Awards Luncheon less than a month away, the class of 2018 awardees were honored by the Business Council for the Arts leadership with a reception on Wednesday, October 17, at the Thompson and Knight offices at One Arts Plaza. Here is a report from the field:
Business Council for the Arts (BCA) hosted an evening reception on Wednesday, October 17, celebrating the 2018 Obelisk Awards honorees, nominators and host committee members.
Obelisk Awards luncheon co-chairs Victoria and Hunter McGrath were joined by nearly 70 attendees at the Thompson and Knight offices in One Arts Plaza. Upon arrival patrons mingled and enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music by guitarist Sam Swank. On view was this year’s Obelisk award, which was designed and created by noted glass artist Polly Gessell, and will be presented to each recipient at the Obelisk Awards luncheon on Friday, November 16.
Mid-way through the evening BCA Board Chair Rick del Monte welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for their support of the 30th annual Obelisk Awards, which are bestowed upon companies and leaders in business and the arts for their invaluable contributions supporting arts and culture in North Texas. He also recognized Honorary Co-Chairs Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger, as well as Victoria and Hunter for their support of this year’s milestone event.
The co-chairs then followed by adding their gratitude to all and then announcing this year’s award recipients as well as the individuals and organizations that had nominated them, including:
- Business Champion for the Arts Award — Craig Hall nominated by Dallas Arts District
- Arts Education Award — Cigna nominated by Chamberlain Performing Arts
- Arts Partnership Award/Large Business (more than 500 employees locally) — Deloitte nominated by: Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas
- Arts Partnership Award/Small Business (fewer than 50 employees locally) — Selig Polyscope Company nominated by Dallas Video Fest
- New Initiatives Award — The Shops at Willow Bend nominated by North Texas Performing Arts
- Juror’s Award — Anne and Steve Stodghill nominated by Dallas Film Society
- The Outstanding Leadership Arts Alumnus Award— Angie Parra nominated by Junior Players
- Distinguished Cultural Organization Award — Thanks-Giving Foundation nominated by Almas Muscatwalla
- Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader Award — Teresa Coleman Wash nominated by Bishop Arts Theatre Center
The McGraths closed by reminding everyone including Patricia Meadows, Zenetta Drew, Lily Weiss, Sam Holland, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Gail and Richard Sachson, Richard Margolin, Thai-lan Tran and Steve Roth, Katherine Jessen, Karen Davis, Almas Muscatwalla, Sara Akers, Mark Perkins and Gigi Steiner about the upcoming Obelisk Awards luncheon on Wednesday, November 16, at Belo Mansion, which includes a reception, seated lunch and recognition of the 2018 award recipients. North Texas Public Broadcasting President/CEO Mary Anne Alhadeff will return as mistress of ceremonies.
* Photo credit: Steve Foxall