2023 Annual Meeting

L. - R.: Anthony Aramendia (SCAC President); Donna Bundy (SCAC Executive Director); The Honorable Lee Constantine (Seminole County Board of County Commissioners); honoree John A. Williams (heART for the Arts Award winner); Rosalie Cook, Ed.D. (SCAC board member)

​ The annual meeting for the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) was held on Tuesday, September 5th at the Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford. The board at that time recognized John A. Williams (of Wayne Densch, Inc.) as the recipient of the 2023 heART for the Arts Award, for an unprecedented second time, acknowledging his personal dedication to advancing the arts in Seminole County. The board reiterated that this award was given for his individual commitment. While his business, Wayne Densch, Inc., its employees, and in fact, the entire Williams family, are known for their long-term contributions to charitable organizations in Seminole County, this year's award speciifically acknowledges John Williams' own personal service and leadership.
 
      Over the years, Mr. Williams provided unparalleled financial support to SCAC in the form of title sponsorships and donations of beverages for the annual SCAC golf classic, Hoooowl for the Arts,heART for the ARTS Gala, auctions, and other fundraisers. Through Wayne Densch, Inc., he has assisted many non-profit community partners to enhance our quality of life, including the Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, Chance 2 Dance, St. Johns River Festival of the Arts, Central Florida Zoological Society, Kids House of Seminole, and Boy Scouts of America-Central Florida.


History of SCAC:
      Formed in 1994 as a non-profit organization, the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) is best known as a source of funding to local arts and culture agencies and activities. In 1995, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners designated SCAC as the official recipient of revenue from sale of the Florida State of the Arts specialty license plates. 
      SCAC advocates for the preservation of cultural and historic heritage including performing, literary, and visual arts and sciences. SCAC serves to promote and support the arts through art appreciation and community involvement. 
      SCAC sponsors two major awards per year. In association with the Seminole County Board of Commissioners, a joint presentation is made in May to the Artist of the Year, a Seminole County resident who is a performer, visual artist, historian or author, who has contributed time and talent for the enrichment of Seminole County, and who is currently active in advancement of the arts. In addition, the heART for the Arts Award in September recognizes a person, organization, or business known to have consistently partnered with or greatly supported SCAC and/or other arts and cultural organizations within Seminole County.
      SCAC maintains a dedicated Board comprised of members who represent a broad cross-section of the community including the arts, educators, business professionals, and representatives from other cultural organizations, government entities, and educational institutions, and may have representatives from Seminole County Public Schools, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, Seminole State College, the Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, and the University of Central Florida.

L. - R.: 2023 Board of Directors - Rosalie Cook, Ed.D.; Barbara Hughes; Donna Bundy (Executive Director; Steve Nelson; Bonnie Sprung; Stephen Summers, Ph.D.; Mary Blake; Melanie Mucario, Esq.; Josie Foranoce; Anthony Aramendia.

SCAC President Anthony Aramendia presents the 2023 heART for the Arts Award to John A. Williams.