St. Petersburg Arts Alliance Honors… Brian Auld & the Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies “Arts Advocate of the Year Award - 2023!”
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance Honors…
Brian Auld & the Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies
“Arts Advocate of the Year Award - 2023!”
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA) is delighted to present the second annual “Arts Advocate of the Year Award” to Brian Auld, President of the Tampa Bay Rays and Vice Chairman of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, at SPAA’s Garden Party Brunch, Hats Off to Performing Arts. We are also excited to share that leading this event are our Board Members and Garden Party Co-Chairs, Kelly Lee McFrederick-Rice and Steve Beaty.
The spectacular event will be held on May 7th at the Rutland-Farley Mansion beginning at 11am. The award will be presented by Melissa Seixas, Florida State President, Duke Energy, and the first Arts Advocate of the Year. Long known for their interest in the arts, our 2023 Arts Advocates have supported The Dali, the SHINE Mural Festival, Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Creative Pinellas and the Gasparilla Music Festival and the Gasparilla Film Festival, to name a few.
“Brian Auld and the Rays and Rowdies keep the arts community in their hearts and in their actions. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is grateful for their support and their desire to include the arts, as they work towards adding new and equitable economic opportunities for our community.” –Terry Marks, SPAA CEO.
Join us in this celebration and enjoy special live performances, delicious brunch-inspired delights and champagne toasts, a live auction – supporting the arts and recognizing the impact of the arts on the growth of our city! The party begins with live theatrical performances, movement, and music throughout the beautiful gardens overlooking the bay. Support SPAA’s work for the arts in our community, and most importantly, the honoring of Brian Auld & the Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies! Have some fun by wearing a fantastic hat that speaks to your own creative genius. Special prizes will be awarded to the “Most Beautiful,” “Most Creative,” and “Most Humorous” hat.
Meet the Arts Advocate of the Year
Brian Auld begins his 19th season with the Rays and his ninth in his current position as President. In his tenure as President, Auld has brought a renewed focus to the Rays mission—to energize the community through the magic of Rays baseball—by redoubling the Rays commitment to its community and to its employees. Under Auld’s leadership, the Rays have developed a thriving workplace culture. In addition to paid parental leave, adoption benefits, paid volunteer time and a wellness initiative, the Rays created a $15 minimum wage for all part-time employees. In 2018, Auld oversaw the Rays purchase of the Tampa Bay Rowdies USL soccer team, based in St. Petersburg.
SPAA’s Mission
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is the umbrella organization serving this vital arts and cultural community. We do so by driving arts-related economic development and funding, advocating for art and artists, educating at all levels and facilitating the growth of our City of the Arts. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets visit: https://stpeteartsalliance.org/gardenparty
March 30, 2023 - For Immediate Release
Please Contact: Terry Marks, CEO
(917) 969-0116 terry@stpeteartsalliance.org
Tracy Kennard
Director of Marketing