Virginia Beach businesswoman Barbara Lewis is the first recipient of the City’s Champion for the Arts award, the City announced today.
The award, presented by the Arts & Humanities Commission, recognizes community members who support and grow the arts in Virginia Beach. Lewis is the founder and president of the Town Center City Club, a private venue for business professionals and corporate events.
“The commission is thrilled to honor Ms. Lewis with this well-deserved award,” Laura Nguyen, a commission member and chair of the Champion for the Arts Award Committee, said in a release. We could not have chosen a more enthusiastic supporter of the arts in Virginia Beach. We are so thankful for Ms. Lewis’ passion.”
Lewis has raised more than $2.5 million for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, the Virginia Musical Theater and other arts organizations, according to her executive profile on the Town Center City Club’s website.
Lewis owned Charm Associates for more than 20 years and established the Hampton Roads Woman of the Year Awards to recognize the region’s outstanding businesswomen, the release said.
Lewis is the also the creator of Dancing with the Hampton Roads Stars, an annual fundraiser. This year’s event will be on Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Sandler Center, which is located at at 201 Market St. The event has raised more than $300,000 for local arts organizations, including Virginia Musical Theatre Inc., The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and other arts groups.
Each award recipient will have his or her name etched in brick and displayed in a Champions for the Arts path in front of the Sandler Center, near the intersection of Commerce and Market streets.
“Barbara Lewis has been a friend of the arts for many years, and the Arts and Humanities Commission recognizes her continued commitment and dedication to numerous arts projects in Virginia Beach,” Commission Chair Carolyn Garrett said in the release.
