The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Community Achievement in the Arts Awards.

The awards, established more than 20 years ago, recognize the individuals, volunteers, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that have enriched lives through their contributions to the arts in Southside Virginia.

Since its inception, over 40 individuals, businesses and organizations have received the award. Nominees will be accepted from the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward.

Last year’s awardees included Red Door 104, Summer Garden Opera, Tray Eppes, Tory Wade, Lucia Butler, Grace Rust and Joan Tipton.

“The 2018 LCVA Individual Achievement in the Arts Award was a humbling validation of simply doing what I think is right. I have thought about it often and appreciate the honor,” said Eppes, who received the 2018 Community Achievement in the Arts award for an individual.

Contributions to the visual, performing and literary arts qualify for consideration. Some examples of eligible contributions would include educating and/or advocating, program development, youth and/or adult services, volunteering, festivals and events or staff development. Awardees will be selected and reviewed by the CAA Nominating Committee.

Audrey Sullivan received an award in 2018 for her business, Red Door 104 in downtown Farmville. She said, “In a town filled with creative people, it was such an honor for our little Art Studio to be presented with such a prestigious award! Red Door 104 would not be here if the community was not hungry for creativity, I am grateful for our patrons that have helped get us to such a place of recognition! Thank you LCVA.”

The 2019 award recipients will be celebrated at the LCVA Friday, April 26, from 5-8 p.m.

Nomination forms are available at http://lcva.longwood.edu/programs/community-achievements-arts-awards. Hard copies are also available at the LCVA and at several downtown business and public facilities. Nominations will be accepted until March 1.