For those who braved the weather last night to attend the St. Louis Arts Awards at Chase Park Plaza, the trip was well worth it. Bright spotlights along Lindell welcomed hundreds of guests who mingled downstairs and in the lobby before the 7 p.m. ceremony. Hosted by the Arts & Education Council, the program honored "groups and individuals who help preserve a legacy of artistic excellence and enrich St. Louis' cultural community."
Among the night's honorees: Circus Day Foundation's Jessica Hentoff (Arts Innovator), Sister Patricia Giljum (Arts Educator of the Year), Portfolio Gallery and Educational Center's Robert Powell (Excellence in the Arts), Cinema St. Louis (Excellence in the Arts), philanthropists Laurance and Virginia Browning, Jr. (Excellence in Philanthropy) and First Lady of St. Louis Jazz Jeanne Trevor (Lifetime Achievement in the Arts).
While accepting her award, Trevor said she's often asked when she'll retire, to which the ever-smiling performer says no time soon. To cap off the night, she performed a stirring rendition of "Over the Rainbow."
In case you missed it, Trevor and fellow jazz musician Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum were featured on pp. 112-113 of SLM's December issue. — Jarrett Medlin
