New cultural enhancements to be announced at Celebrate the Arts in Abilene

OCT. 4, 2021 – The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council will host the annual Celebrate the Arts in Abilene luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the 201 Mesquite Event Center downtown. The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 6, but was postponed.

Tickets to the luncheon are still available at $30 each or $240 for a table of eight. The luncheon has sold out in the past, with more than 300 people expected to attend. Included in the festivities will be costumed characters and major announcements about further enhancements to the Abilene Cultural District, which encompasses downtown Abilene.

This event combines the annual HeARTS for the ARTS membership luncheon and the 2021 Abilene Art Awards. The awards honor outstanding volunteers for local arts groups. In addition, the ACAC will present the Outstanding Individual of the Year Award to Justin Crowe for his contributions to the arts. The Outstanding Organization of the Year Award will go to The Excelsior Foundation, which has provided support for numerous Abilene nonprofits.

HeARTS for the ARTS grant recipients will be recognized. Grants are given for local arts programming for children and special populations. This year, the ACAC is investing $151,650 in HeARTS and Community & Visitor Development Grants that enrich our community.

Costumed characters and table decorations will reflect the 2022 Children’s Art & Literacy Festival honoree Sophie Blackall, who won the 2016 Caldecott Medal for “Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear.” Her original art will be on display at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature next summer.