Photo Flash: Arena Stage Honors Mayor Muriel Bowser at Annual Gala

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie recently presented the third annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, as well as recognizing Jessica Stafford Davis as an Emerging Leader at the 2018 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala was helmed by event chairs and Arena Stage Trustees Lavern Chatman and Maggie FitzPatrick, and was held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW).

The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance featured the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Mayor Muriel Bowser, in recognition of her unparalleled commitment to and support of the arts throughout Washington, D.C. The award was first presented to Arena Stage Board Chair Newburger Schwartz in 2016, and Arlene Kogod in 2017, and celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents. In addition, Jessica Stafford Davis was honored as an Emerging Leader in recognition of her passion and entrepreneurial support of the arts. Davis is the founder and CEO of The Agora Culture, a multi-cultural arts platform that connects emerging and well-known artists with collectors.

All proceeds from the evening support Arena Stage's award-winning artistic and community engagement programs.

Photo Credit: Cameron Whitman