FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: January 27, 2017
From: Dunedin Fine Art Center
Contact: Ken Hannon @ 727.298.DFAC, x230
Sterling Society Honors Bill and Judy Isaly with Patron of the Arts Award.
When looking to bestow their Patron of the Arts Award at the 10th annual Founders Luncheon on January 27, the Sterling Society auxiliary group of the Dunedin Fine Art Center didn’t have to look far for a pair of Tampa Bay’s outstanding patrons. It did however have to make room for the multitude of accolades and history this team carries in the Tampa Bay community.
Bill and Judy Isaly have given extraordinary commitment to the arts in Dunedin with their visionary, innovative, generous, astute, hardworking and caring can-do attitude.
From 1990 to 1998 Judy served on the Dunedin Fine Art Center Board, chaired the Garden Party, volunteered for the Annual Holiday Show Committee, Art Harvest and Gallery Shop. Bill followed from 1999 to 2005 as Treasurer, Chair of the Membership Campaign, Chair of the Nominating Committee and Chair of the Annual Garden Party for two years.
It was the Isalys who reinvented the Garden Party, now celebrating its 37th anniversary, as DFAC’s signature event. Their level of participation and business acumen made this one of Pinellas County’s premier occasions for showcasing the work of artists and bringing the artist and community together.
Bill and Judy are tremendous ambassadors and have carried the news of DFAC’s work in art education and exhibits throughout the Tampa Bay area. They represent, actively participate in and champion arts education, particularly for underserved populations in the Just Imagine program, the Very Special Arts (VSA Florida) program and Creative Clay.
Bill served on the Pinellas County Arts Council, the Pinellas County Arts Council Foundation, Pinellas County Public Art Program Committee and the Community Cultural Plan Advisory Committee.
Having community icons such as the Bill and Judy Isaly as arts advocates has inspired and encouraged the love of art throughout the area making them PATRONS in the best sense of the word.
This year’s award was an original by pastel by DFAC member and artist Mary Louise Pollock. The awards luncheon on January 27th at Bon Apetit Restaurant also featured guest speaker Ellen Gerth gave an informative talk about unearthing ARTifacts from the bottom of the ocean floor.
Founded less than 11 years ago by Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC) members, the Sterling Society’s mission is “to promote the growth of the Dunedin Fine Art Center and to promote interest and participation in the activities of the Center”
For more information on the Sterling Society and other DFAC programs visit www.dfac.org, call 727-298-DFAC, or email info@dfac.org
Dunedin Fine Art Center – 1143 Michigan Blvd. – Dunedin, FL 34698
