Theatre professional Michael Mansfield, arts benefactors Virginia and Shields Jarrett, and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge were honored with Perry F. Kendig Awards during a ceremony on October 2.
The awards, which are cosponsored by Hollins University and Roanoke College, celebrate the people and organizations that support excellence in the arts in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
The Kendig Awards are presented annually in three categories: Individual Artist, Individual or Business Arts Supporter, and Arts and Cultural Organization. Recipients are selected from a group of nominees who live or work in the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, and Franklin, the cities of Roanoke and Salem, or the town of Vinton. The awards are named for the late Perry F. Kendig, who served as president of Roanoke College and was an avid supporter and patron of the arts.
In addition to Mansfield, Virginia and Shields Jarrett, and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, this year’s nominees were Monique Duncan, a professional photographer; Scott Kitts, member of the League of Roanoke Artists; and Tom and Mary Evelyn Tielking, arts philanthropists.
Mansfield received this year’s Individual Artist Award. An actor, director, guest artist, designer, and teacher, his skills have benefited many popular arts venues including The Playwright’s Lab at Hollins University, Little Town Players, Mill Mountain Theatre, Off the Rails Theatre, Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Roanoke Children’s Theatre, and Showtimers.
“I’m just honored to be part of such a vibrant arts organization here in the Roanoke Valley,” Mansfield said.
Presented the Individual or Business Arts Supporter Award, Virginia Jarrett and her late husband, Shields, have supported many arts organizations across the region. Virginia is the cofounder of the Roanoke Women’s Foundation, which invests in the arts. Shields delved into many different art forms and brought awareness to the arts through his writing.
“Thank you to Mill Mountain Theatre for nominating us and to the Kendig committee for selecting us. I just think Roanoke gets cooler all the time,” Virginia Jarrett said.
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the region’s official destination marketing organization, received the Arts and Cultural Organization Award for its constant and unwavering support of the arts. Virginia’s Blue Ridge President Landon Howard accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
The Kendig Awards program was established in 1985 and presented annually by the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge through 2012. Hollins and Roanoke College have now partnered for 11 years to bestow the honors.
Photo (left to right): Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr., Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge President Landon Howard, Virginia Jarrett, Michael Mansfield, and Hollins University President Mary Dana Hinton.
