Board officers & new members sworn in

The installation of new board members, election of officers, the presentation of the prestigious Michael Crespo Fellowship Award and the announcement of the 2025 MPAC theme topped the agenda of the annual meeting of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge May 23 at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center. Taking the oath of office were Chair Scott D. Chenevert, Vice Chair Candy Wright, Secretary Creston Pickell, TreasurerJames Mack and executive committee members Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, Robyn Merrick, Dai Nguyen and Deidré Deculus Robert. Outgoing Chair Todd L. Stirling moved to the position of immediate past chair.

 This year’s Crespo Fellowship went to internationally renowned watercolor artist Judi Betts, who last year celebrated 60 years as a working artist. The award was established in 2011 by Cary Saurage and the late Derek Gordon, former Arts Council CEO, to commemorate the life, work and dedication of the internationally recognized artist, who also served as a professor and director of the LSU School of Art.

Sworn in as new board members were Morgan Almeida, BRAC senior vice president of marketing; Adam Beary, President/CEO at Bear Process Safety; and Maddie Rabalais, attorney Butler Snow. They join returning board members Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, Sabrina Galloway, Brace “Trey” Godfrey III, Heather Kleinpeter, Leah Marchand, Sherri McConnell, Robyn Merrick, Micheline Millender, J. Patrick Mulhearn, Courtney M. Scott, Robert M. Stuart III, Lauren Tarver Amanda Spain and Bubba Willis. The celebration wrapped up with a party on the Turner-Fischer Rooftop Terrace, where guests enjoyed music by Mike Esneault & Friends.