Art League Announces First SHEro Award Winners

OCEAN CITY — The Art League of Ocean City announced this week the 2018 recipients of the SHEro Awards, honoring Delmarva women who have shown courage, made outstanding contributions to the community and embody noble qualities.

The awards will be presented on Friday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, and the public is invited to the free event.

The SHEro Award winners are Carole Spurrier of Ocean Pines, leader of the National Alliance on Mental Health in Worcester County; Maribeth Fischer of Lewes, founder of the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild; Kathy Denk of Ocean Pines, an artist and musician who gives generously of her time; Lee Lewis of Salisbury, volunteer for the VFW, MAC and BACIL; and Barbara Lockhart of Rhodesdale, Md., former elementary school teacher and author of several books.

Other award winners were Nancy Howard of Ocean City, president of the Ocean City Museum Society and vice-president of the Worcester County Library Board of Trustees; Abbi Custis of Salisbury, who donates much of the proceeds of the sale of her art to local nonprofits; Stephanie Amsel of Ocean City, local advocate for healthy eating, breastfeeding and homeschooling; and Rose Garlitz of Berlin, who has raised thousands of dollars for American Legion Synepuxent Post 166.

“The SHEro Award winners are grassroots givers,” Rolig said. “The kind of women who dig-in and make a difference to help our Delmarva communities thrive. These are women who have selflessly contributed their time and service to a group or organization or to our community.”

The SHEro Awards are part of the “SHE” art show that is currently on display in the galleries of the Arts Center during September, curated by Deborah Rolig of Berlin and assisted by her sister, Dee Gray. The show features a cross-section of female artists incorporating all facets of visual art and conceptual art forms. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Rebecca & Leighton Moore Adolescent Behavorial Health Unit at PRMC.

Admission is always free to the Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th Street, home of the Art League of Ocean City, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.