It’s the community that makes Fiesta so special.
Every year the board of Fiesta takes the time to honor an individual or organization for their continued, generous support, as well as their contributions to the cultural and artistic life of the local community.
Initiated in 1997 by the Fine Arts Fiesta Board as suggested by then board member Howard B. Fedrick, the “Friend of the Arts Award” was designed to honor an individual or organization for their longstanding commitment and generous support of Fiesta in addition to their general contributions to the cultural and artistic life of the local and regional community. With Howard’s untimely passing in February 2011, the board of directors has, in his honor and memory, renamed the award the “Howard B. Fedrick Friend of the Arts Award”.
It is the pleasure for The Board of Directors to announce the 2015 hororee; MickyNieman.
Micky has been on the board of directors for well over 30 years serving in many various officer and committee capacities creating and making banners, visual and performing arts, archives and awards presentations. She was brought on the board by her late and dear friend, past president Murray Popky, upon returning from living in Germany.
The Fine Arts Fiesta Board of Directors will honoredMicky by presenting her the “Howard B. Fedrick Friend of the Arts Awards” for 2015 on May 8 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Upon her untimely passing the board also agreed to honor Jane Lampe Groh, widow of Alfred Groh, as a 2016 recipient for her years of service, support and gracious bequest.
Past winners include:
- 1997 – Mr. Ken Marquis
- 1998 – Kevin and Helen McDonald
- 1998 – Alfred S. Groh*
- 1999 – Ruth B. Schooley
- 2000 – Dr. Robert S. Anderson*
- 2001 – Roger A. Lacy
- 2002 – William Hogan Sr. and Sons
- 2003 – Murray Popky*
- 2004 – Lee Vincent
- 2005 – Wyoming Valley Art League
- 2006 – The City of Wilkes-Barre / The Times Leader
- 2007 – Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre
- 2008 – Dorothy and Tom Womelsdorf and Family
- 2009 – Allan Finlay* and Robert Finlay, Humford Equities
- 2010 – The Osterhout Public Library and The Friends of the Osterhout Public Library
- 2011 – Mary Ellen Fowler, aka. Flossie The Fiesta Clown
- 2012 – Charles Barber, The Luzerne Foundation
- 2013, Irem Shrine Stewards & Dorothy M. Carr*
- 2014, David, Natalia, and Julia Kerr
- 2015, MickyNieman
- 2016, Jane Lampe Groh
* denotes deceased honoree
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE 2005
In honor of Miss Annette Evans and Alfred S. Groh, a bronze Commemorative Plaque has been installed on the marble wall near the Bandshell as a permanent record of their vision and the continuation of the Fiesta traditions through the years. The Plaque, a signed bronze artwork, is a gift of the Fine Arts Fiesta Inc. and numerous individual and business sponsors in the community.
COMMEMORATIVE PUBLIC SQUARE BRICKS 2005
In memory of Miss Annette Evans, in honor of Alfred S. Groh, and as A Celebration of “FIESTA AT FIFTY”, three Commemorative Brick Pavers have been installed on the Public Square near the Center Fountain. In conjunction with the Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2005 these bricks were purchased as a permanent record of the Fiesta founders and traditions through the first fifty years. They are a gift of the Fine Arts Fiesta Board of Directors.
