Annually, The Florence Regional Arts Alliance presents a series of awards recognizing the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of our community. Nominations are solicited from the community and awarded by the Florence Regional Arts Alliances Board of Directors. Nominations may be submitted now through September 15. The awards themselves will be a piece of artwork created by local artist Kimberly Washburn. Washburn is a fiber and textile artist. She is the Curator of Education at the Florence County Museum and recipient of the 2017 Greg Fry Arts Educator Award.
In addition, to recognizing the efforts and hard work of our business community, the FRAA and Honda of South Carolina celebrate the arts through presenting scholarships as well as Excellence in Art Awards to students dedicated to the arts.
The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are merit scholarships awarded predominantly on the basis of demonstrated talent, passion for the arts and intention to pursue a degree in an arts discipline or in arts education. The Program is named in honor of one of South Carolina’s most distinguished music educators. Betty Ann Darby 2021 Scholarship Application will be available December 2020.
2020 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Recipients
Jaydon Wright
Kara Snowden
Kara Snowden
2020 Honda of South Carolina Excellence in Arts Awards
Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high schools in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards. Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-base.
Band
Maleyah Burroughs, Timmonsville HS
James Jaydon Wright, West Florence HS
Tripp Diggs, Wilson HS
Chorus
Joshua Barrett, West Florence HS
Kara Snowden, South Florence HS
Drama
Olivia Hauer, West Florence HS
D’Mawn Williams, South Florence HS
Dance
Hailey Rodgers, Hannah-Pamplico HS
Orchestra
Alex Stepp, West Florence HS
Bishop Ridenhour, South Florence HS
Visual Art | Media Art
Alexis Pierce, West Florence HS
Madelyn C. Parrot, Wilson HS
Madison Gregory, Hannah-Pamplico HS
Chloe Powell, Johnsonville HS
Meredith Baxley, South Florence HS
Aubrey Crawford, South Florence HS
2019 Arts Awards
The John W. Baker Award Recipient
Dr. Sherry Woods presented the John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award to Ms. Christine Fisher. “Ms. Fisher has been a performer, advocate, and promoter of the arts in Florence County. A former teacher in Florence 1 Schools she was elected FSD1 Teacher of the Year, SC State Teacher of the Year, and served as the director of the Arts and Basic Curriculum Project, which allowed her to promote arts programs statewide for the past 18 years.”
The Business & Partnership Award Recipient
TThomas Arts Studio presented the Business & Art Partnership Award. Tiffany Thomas presented the award to Jackie Wukela and Lynda English of Lynda English Gallery Studio. Ms. Wukela and Ms. English are anchors in our arts community. Serving as an arts hub the studio reaches outside of its walls and into all facets of the arts in Florence County. Most recently, Ms. Wukela donated her time and talent to create beautiful custom art pieces for the program covers for the Florence Symphony Orchestra. The pieces she has created have varied between acrylic collages, oil and watercolor. She has kindly donated these custom pieces to the FSO where they will be auctioned. Ms. English served as artist-in-residence with McLaurin Elementary and helped in the creation of their mural, The Storytelling Wall.
The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient
Ms. Uschi Jeffcoat presented the award to The Drama Lady Theatre Group. “Within the past year, the Drama Lady Theatre Group, under the direction of Triza Cox, has produced the following plays, using independent fundraising, casting, and design, “What Gets Left” by local playwright Brooke Mogy Watkins (April 2018), “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg (August 2018), and “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf” (November 2018).”
The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient
Ms. Murriel Calcutt presented the award to Ms. Chrissy Monaco. “Ms. Monaco has rejuvenated the Drama program at Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School, giving her students not only thorough dramatic training but also a platform on which to display their skills. Her productions there have ranged from the classic and heart wrenching (Bus Stop) to loud, fun musicals (Legally Blonde, Freaky Friday), to experimental (Camp Shakespeare monologue medley).”
The Frank H. Crow Award Recipient
Ms. Diana Murphy presented the Frank H. Crow Award Recipient. This award is presented annually to a Florence Regional Arts Alliance board member, staff member of volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization’s growth and success. Ms. Murphy presented the award to Ms. Michele Pridgen. Ms. Pridgen has served on Board of Directors of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance as a valued member, officer, and currently as immediate past president. She is instrumental as an arts advocate by solidifying partnerships between corporate industry leaders in Florence County and our Arts community.
2019 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Recipients
Kathryn Brock
Olyvia Gregg
Gracyn Richardson
2018 Arts Awards
The John W. Baker Award Recipient
Dr. Sherry Woods
The Business & Partnership Award Recipient
Tthomas Arts Studio
The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient
Lake City Community Theatre
The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient
Laura McFadden
The Frank H. Crow Award Recipient
Diana Murphy
2018 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Recipients
Meranda Vinson, Jordan Taylor, Cathryn Ackerman
2017 Arts Awards
2017 Arts Awards artist is Doug Gray
The John W. Baker Award Recipient
Laura Greenway
The Business & Partnership Award Recipient
Lake City Merchants Association
The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient
South Carolina Dance Theatre
The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient
Kimberly Washburn
The Frank H. Crow Award Recipient
Keith Best
2017 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Recipients
Annie Abernathy
Kira Elaine Dubose
Coleman Wright
2016 Arts Awards
The 2016 Arts Awards Artist is Jen Ervin.
The John W. Baker Award Recipient
Kelly M. Jokish
The Business & Partnership Award Recipient
Florence County
The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient
The Lake City Concert Series
The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient
Dr. Erick J. Figueras
The Frank H. Crow Award Recipient
Uschi Jeffcoat
2016 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Recipients
Kathleen Covington
Molly Watkins
Gillian Skipper
2015 Arts Awards
The 2015 Arts Awards are the creations of local sculptor Jim Gleason.
The John W. Baker Award Recipient
Ann Rodgers Chandler
The Business & Partnership Award Recipient
Willcox, Buyck, & Williams P.A.
The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient
The Community Museum Society, Inc.
The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient
Steven Gately
The Frank H. Crow Award Recipient
Brad Parham
2015 Betty Ann Darby Scholarships Recipients
Grayson Cribb 
Greer Spotts 
Elliott Venable
The 2014 arts awards are the whimsical and endearing creations of Hartsville’s Patz Fowle.
The John Baker Award Recipient
Julian Young
The Business & Partnership Award Recipient
The Clay Pot
The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient
The Lake City Partnership Council
The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient
Wanda Hanna
The Frank Crow Award Recipient
Desiree Overby
2014 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Recipients
Haley Ard 2014 Recipient
Philip Rast 2014 Recipient2013 Arts Awards
John Baker Award Jane Madden
Business & Partnership Award Honda of South Carolina
Outstanding Arts Oraganization The Florence Little Theatre