LAC Vice President Heather Valdez Stillings addresses attendees at the 2018 Gale Waldron Excellence in the Arts Showcase

Community leaders in business and the arts worked together with the Loudoun Arts Council this spring to restart the LAC's teen awards program, renamed the Gale Waldron Excellence in the Arts Awards. Dozens of talented young people submitted work for the competition in eight arts categories.

Visual Arts first place winner Annabel Nelson with her piece, "Pin Up"

Emerging talents in Dance, Digital Arts, Literary Arts, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Visual Arts received prizes. The young artists were invited to present their award winning work at a special showcase on May 5th at StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn.

Instrumental Music award winner Allison Lane on guitar at the Awards Showcase

Winners received cash prizes totalling $5,750 to help them take their arts to the next level.

Work is already underway for next year's Excellence competition.

The Loudoun Arts Council offers many thanks to our very generous 2018 partners, donors, and sponsors for making this year's program possible: