Allentown Arts Ovation award recipients announced

The Allentown Arts Commission to award eight for outstanding contribution to the arts and honor four Allentown high school seniors 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 11 art the at the Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown. Tickets to the reception and event are $20 per person and are available at artsovation.eventbrite.com.

In special celebration to the Allentown high school arts programs, Ovation will feature two live excerpt presentations of the 2023 high school musicals: Allen’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” and Dieruff ’s “Seussical.”

The event will honor mural artist Matt Halm for his lifelong dedication to to the arts and community education. Other recipients to be recognized for their outstanding contribution to the arts in Allentown are:

Charles Stonewall, fine art photographer, Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts

Hilda Gonzalez / ICDI (Interlace Cultural y Desarrollo Integral Mexicano de Lehigh Valley Inc.), Outstanding Achievement in Performing Arts

Bathsheba Monk, novelist, playwright, and book publisher, Outstanding Achievement in Literary Arts

Hector Castro, painter and muralist, Outstanding Emerging Artist

Dee Cameron Rhoads, Civic Theatre instructor, Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education

Heather Rodale & Healing Through The Arts, Outstanding Service to the Arts

IBEW Local 375 & Paul Anthony, Outstanding Arts Philanthropy

The Arts Commission also will recognize and award scholarships for outstanding achievements in art, music, and theater to students from Allentown high schools. Recipients are:

Eli Mercedes of William Allen High School

Julio Pena Sosa of Louis E. Dieruff High School

Madison Pearce of Central Catholic High School

Gabriel (Gabe) DeJesus of Building 21 High School