Alan Reynolds has over 40 years of experience in theatre, film and television. He was born and raised in Lakeland and has been the Artistic Managing Director of Lakeland Community Theatre since 2009. Under his leadership and artistry,…
Posts tagged as “Artist Hall of Fame”
Joe Mitchell had a 40-year career in arts education. He eventually became the Visual Arts Supervisor for Polk County Schools where he encouraged the placement of art teachers in every school in the district – which is now…
Mimi Hardman moved to Lake Wales in 1965 and will long be remembered as the founder and director of the Depot Museum and host of the annual Pioneer Days festival. Hardman spearheaded the effort to restore and convert…
Carol Krajacic Erkes, a professional dancer, danced with major US ballet companies and founded Florida Dance Theater in 1993 in Lakeland – Polk County’s first professional dance company. Florida Dance Theatre was made up of dancers from all over…
Jim Stafford was born in Winter Haven in 1944. As a teenager, he played in a band with future legendary musicians Bobby Braddock, Kent LaVoie, and Gram Parsons. Stafford wrote and recorded his first chart-making song, The Swamp…
Dr. Jessie Owens is a Winter Haven native and life-long music educator. She received her music education degree from Florida A&M University, her master’s degree from NYU, and her doctorate in organizational leadership from NOVA Southeastern University. She…
Frank Howes grew up in Live Oak, FL and became the Band Director at Southwest Jr. High in Lakeland, Florida in 1971 after graduating from the University of Florida. During Howes’ tenure, the Southwest band performed at clinics…
Canter Brown Jr. is an historian, professor and author. He was born in Fort Meade, Florida, and earned his degrees at Florida State University. He taught at Florida A&M University and has worked at Fort Valley State University…
Bobby Braddock, who left Auburndale for Nashville as a young adult, gained notoriety for writing such country music classics as “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” performed by Tammy Wynette and the song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” popularized by George Jones. Additionally,…