VERO BEACH — The Cultural Council of Indian River County 15th Annual Laurel Awards has been rescheduled and will now take place on Friday, April 23; the event will still be held at the Riverside Theatre Lobby and Waxlax Stage. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and heavy hors d’oeuvres; followed by the Laurel Award presentation at 7 p.m. Tickets to the Laurel Awards are $50.
The Volunteer/Cultural Leadership Award will be presented to Cathie Callery for her community wide volunteer activities including her service on the board of Vero Heritage, which seeks to preserve the historical integrity of The Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach.
The Business/Philanthropic Award will honor Falasiri Oriental Rugs owner Jafar Falasiri, who has underwritten the weekly “Cultural Connection” in the Press Journal newspaper for 10 years. The page has highlighted thousands of cultural events and showcased hundreds of Treasure Coast artists.
The Cultural/Professional Leadership Award will be presented to former U.S. diplomat Warren Obluck, who has taught the Vero Beach Museum of Art Film Studies courses since 2000 and has been affiliated with the Museum since directing its OffCenter Cinema Club in 1998.
The Artist Leadership Award will honor Del and Jean Peterson for their contributions to the Vero Beach Art Club. Del has worked on advertising and publicity for the Club’s “Under the Oaks” Fine Art and Crafts Show for 15 years and Jean has served as former club president, newsletter editor and publicist.
The Carolyn K. Eggert Award will be presented to Roman and Joan Ortega-Cowan, for their work bringing world-class opera to the area through the Vero Beach Opera, where Roman serves as artistic director, and Joan serves as president.
As this is the 15th Anniversary of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, founding members of the organization will also be honored at the event.
The Cultural Council provides networking avenues for nonprofits and artists through information-sharing and collaboration. It also provides technical and professional development regarding nonprofit management issues, encourages cooperation among nonprofits, promotes local artists and facilitates public art exhibitions in county buildings.
Information and tickets: Call (772) 770-4857
