Van Wezel's Bensel Receives Congressional Honor

At the Van Wezel Foundation's 10th annual Gala last evening, the Honorable Congressman, Vern Buchanan presented Mary Bensel, Executive Director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a congressional proclamation in honor of her service and leadership of the Hall and in support of the educational programs and community engagement activities of the Hall. The gala and the show, which featured Dionne Warwick, were sell outs. Congressman Buchanan stated that the Van Wezel is a driving force in Sarasota's vibrant art scene, which is a major economic driver for the area.

The Van Wezel is celebrating its fourteenth year of providing nationally known arts education and community engagement programs which are a major factor in the integration of the arts in our region's schools. In collaboration with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the local school districts, each year the Van Wezel provides specialized workshops to train teachers of science, math, history, social studies and reading on ways to use the arts to enhance the presentation of their subject materials. The Van Wezel's affiliation with the Partners in Education Program of the Kennedy Center is one of the only projects nationally that has conducted a longitudinal study on the impact of integrative arts education on student learning and achievement, and is the only Kennedy Center partnership in the country to have received seven national research grants on the impact of arts education programs within county schools. This year's partnership also includes YEA Arts with the Sarasota County Schools.

Furthermore, the Van Wezel Education Department and the Manatee County School District are in their second year of Project Stage, a project funded through a U.S. Department of Education three-year grant to increase literacy in Title 1 schools. The Van Wezel has also initiated a new program called Total Access, through a grant from the Cordelia Lee Beattie Foundation, which enables working class families with children to attend professional performances at the Van Wezel. The Van Wezel Family Nights allow parents to bring students of different ages, free of charge, to four different Mainstage shows (this year: Mummenschanz, Beauty and the Beast, Savion Glover, and Spring Awakening) and then students have the opportunity to attend a reception with members of the cast. Schooltime performances allow over 23,000 students to attend shows at the Hall at a nominal charge and busses are provided free of charge by the Foundation. Other education programs include Master Classes, Workshops and Curtain Talkbacks.

Under the leadership of Mary Bensel, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has made a remarkable contribution to the cultural life of our community and education of our children. Ms. Bensel, during her 3 year tenure at the Hall, has initiated a dramatic turn around in terms of programming, sustainability and outreach. She was deeply touched by the Congressman's gesture.

Photo Credit: Cliff Roles Photography