The Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) is pleased to announce that Bill and Mary Sue Weinaug have been chosen to receive the 2026 heART for the ARTS Award. The annual heArt for the Arts Award acknowledges contributions by a person or group who have partnered with, or who have greatly supported SCAC and/or other art and culture organizations in Seminole County. It recognizes a commitment in our community in the areas of local cultural and historic heritage, including the performing, literary, and visual arts and sciences.
Bill and Mary Sue Weinaug exemplify the spirit of the Seminole Cultural Art Council’s heArt for the Arts Award through their long-standing, visionary support of arts and culture in Seminole County. As owners of Wekiva Island since 2008, the Weinaugs have not only created a beloved community gathering place, but have also intentionally embedded art, sustainability, and education as core values that guide every aspect of their operation.
From the outset, Bill and Mary Sue established art as one of the three central pillars of Wekiva Island, alongside sustainability and education. Visitors may come for the natural beauty of the Wekiva River or time spent with family and friends, but a closer look reveals an immersive cultural experience—art on the walls, curated galleries, live painting events, and thoughtful interpretation of place. The Weinaugs’ philosophy recognizes that art deepens our connection to the environment and to one another, transforming recreation into meaningful cultural engagement.
One of their most significant contributions is the founding of Gallery C.E.R.O.®, a riverfront art space located on the shores of Wekiva Island. The gallery celebrates artists whose work is inspired by the natural world, showcasing paintings, sculpture, and mixed-media works that reflect the beauty and serenity of the surrounding ecosystem. The gallery’s name reflects Wekiva Island’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 through its trademarked C.E.R.O.® framework—Conservation, Efficiency, Renewables, and Offset—making the gallery a powerful intersection of environmental stewardship and artistic expression.
The Weinaugs are also the founders of the Wekiva Paint Out, established in 2006 and now recognized as one of Seminole County’s premier annual art events. This celebrated plein air festival brings world-class artists to paint along the Wekiva River, on the boardwalk, and throughout the surrounding landscape. The event is free and accessible to the public, encourages art appreciation at all levels, supports working artists, and benefits local nonprofits such as Keep Seminole Beautiful and the Wekiva Wilderness Trust. The Paint Out has become a cornerstone cultural event that strengthens community identity and elevates the region’s artistic reputation.
Beyond Wekiva Island, the Weinaugs have extended their impact countywide. In partnership with Casselberry’s Friends of the Park, they helped establish a sustainability-focused art exhibit for the city’s annual Earth Fest. This inclusive exhibition invites artists of all ages to create work using recycled and found materials, reinforcing environmental awareness while fostering creativity across generations. The Weinaugs have also been steadfast supporters of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council. Most notably, in 2025 they provided an in-kind loan of a large professional art tent that made SCAC’s Student Art Showcase possible. Without this generous contribution—valued at thousands of dollars—more than 100 student artworks could not have been exhibited.
SCAC President Anthony Aramendia said of the Weinaugs, “Through vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment, Bill and Mary Sue have profoundly enriched Seminole County’s cultural, artistic, and environmental landscape. They are truly deserving of the 2026 heArt for the Arts Award.”
Congratulations Bill and Mary Sue!
Bill and Mary Sue Weinaug exemplify the spirit of the Seminole Cultural Art Council’s heArt for the Arts Award through their long-standing, visionary support of arts and culture in Seminole County. As owners of Wekiva Island since 2008, the Weinaugs have not only created a beloved community gathering place, but have also intentionally embedded art, sustainability, and education as core values that guide every aspect of their operation.
From the outset, Bill and Mary Sue established art as one of the three central pillars of Wekiva Island, alongside sustainability and education. Visitors may come for the natural beauty of the Wekiva River or time spent with family and friends, but a closer look reveals an immersive cultural experience—art on the walls, curated galleries, live painting events, and thoughtful interpretation of place. The Weinaugs’ philosophy recognizes that art deepens our connection to the environment and to one another, transforming recreation into meaningful cultural engagement.
One of their most significant contributions is the founding of Gallery C.E.R.O.®, a riverfront art space located on the shores of Wekiva Island. The gallery celebrates artists whose work is inspired by the natural world, showcasing paintings, sculpture, and mixed-media works that reflect the beauty and serenity of the surrounding ecosystem. The gallery’s name reflects Wekiva Island’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 through its trademarked C.E.R.O.® framework—Conservation, Efficiency, Renewables, and Offset—making the gallery a powerful intersection of environmental stewardship and artistic expression.
The Weinaugs are also the founders of the Wekiva Paint Out, established in 2006 and now recognized as one of Seminole County’s premier annual art events. This celebrated plein air festival brings world-class artists to paint along the Wekiva River, on the boardwalk, and throughout the surrounding landscape. The event is free and accessible to the public, encourages art appreciation at all levels, supports working artists, and benefits local nonprofits such as Keep Seminole Beautiful and the Wekiva Wilderness Trust. The Paint Out has become a cornerstone cultural event that strengthens community identity and elevates the region’s artistic reputation.
Beyond Wekiva Island, the Weinaugs have extended their impact countywide. In partnership with Casselberry’s Friends of the Park, they helped establish a sustainability-focused art exhibit for the city’s annual Earth Fest. This inclusive exhibition invites artists of all ages to create work using recycled and found materials, reinforcing environmental awareness while fostering creativity across generations. The Weinaugs have also been steadfast supporters of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council. Most notably, in 2025 they provided an in-kind loan of a large professional art tent that made SCAC’s Student Art Showcase possible. Without this generous contribution—valued at thousands of dollars—more than 100 student artworks could not have been exhibited.
SCAC President Anthony Aramendia said of the Weinaugs, “Through vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment, Bill and Mary Sue have profoundly enriched Seminole County’s cultural, artistic, and environmental landscape. They are truly deserving of the 2026 heArt for the Arts Award.”
Congratulations Bill and Mary Sue!
