Wilson Arts Board of Directors for 2023-2024

Left to right: Elizabeth Liles-Radford, Josie Mauzé, Leigh Ann Bryant, Carrie Nobles, Beth Peters, Lori Winstead, Tonya Sorenson, Blair Myers,

Lynne White, J. Michael Moore, Wendy Winslow, Janet Connor-Knox, Anne Joyner.

Not pictured: Eric Via, Amelia Rivera, Maureen O’Neill, Savannah Story, Lori Hines Jones, Alan Winstead, Monica Davis

Executive Committee

President - Tonya Sorenson
Vice-President - J. Michael Moore
Secretary -  Janet Connor-Knox
Treasurer - Blair Myers
Past President - Anne Joyner

Vonda Darr

The Arts Council of Wilson has been a lifeline for my family. When we moved to Wilson in 2008, we were immediately impressed with the depth and breadth of offerings through the Arts Council. My girls signed up for summer camps within days of moving here, and jumped right into the Act for Youth and visual art programs. Act for Youth helped transform our youngest from a little girl that would crawl under her chair when called upon to audition, to a confident performer that won the Best Actress Award in 2016. Both of our girls have lasting friendships and memories from this program, and have learned life skills such as teamwork, preparation skills, confidence, anxiety management, adaptability, how to deal with disappointment, and how to celebrate others' successes. This Arts Council is not only impressive for a city this size, it is impressive for a city of any size.

Jim Fitzgerald

I was born and raised in Wilson. I was first exposed to the arts in the 9th grade when Bob Johnson asked me to audition for a role a Shoestring Theatre production. I was hooked. During the four years I spent at the University of North Carolina, I became a theatre rat. As my lack of talent on-stage became more obvious, I developed an interest and increasing talent in theatre lighting. I completed a year-long internship with the Master Electrician at PlayMaker's Rep and was soon running lights for every show produced. I spent the rest of my time at UNC running, designing and managing all aspects of the lighting for PlayMaker's at both the original PlayMaker's Theatre and the new Paul Green theatre. During the past few years, I have volunteered for several Art's Council and Act for Youth productions and soon became more and more involved with the lighting at the Boykin Center. I was thrilled with the newly upgraded light board and was honored to be asked to serve on the Boykin Center Dream Team. Now, I'm looking forward to continuing my support for the Arts in Wilson by serving on the Board of Directors for the next three years.

Linda Barnes

I have had a love of the arts since childhood. Even though my parents encouraged me to select a major in college that would provide guaranteed financial security, that love of the arts never wavered. During my working years I was a patron of the arts. At every opportunity I enjoyed theater, music, dance and visual art performances and/or events. After the Boykin Center became a part of the Wilson culture and climate, I was a regular patron. Having now retired, I have the opportunity to immerse myself in the things that I love and enjoy. And, I hope to participate in those things more fully as both a patron and facilitator. As a participant in a few other civic organizations, I look forward to using my position on the board of the Arts Council to initiate a relationship between these groups. Hopefully the other groups with which I am affiliated will become more aware of local entertainment events and talents. And, the Arts Council will benefit from more patronage at their sponsored events. In any community, the value and enrichment that the cultural arts bring is immeasurable. The chance to further enhance the cultural aspects of my community by serving on the board of the Arts Council (in any capacity) is a job to which I am looking forward.