- March 15, 2025
Riverfront Arts District, in collaboration with the Volusia County Cultural Alliance, is launching the inaugural Season of the Arts, to run from March 23 to April 13.
During the 21-day period, over 100 arts events will be held throughout the county to celebrate the artistic and cultural landscape of Volusia County. Riverfront Arts District Founder Theresa Lieberman said she wanted to unite the art community in the county — and form an umbrella where all the arts and cultural organizations can connect and collaborate.
"It's our mission to celebrate and elevate the arts, and then, in addition ... honor the influential figures in our community and support the next generation of artists by giving back to the Volusia County Schools fine arts programs, and enhancing the cultural and economic impact of the arts in our region."
Art influencers — people whom Lieberman described as the driving force behind local creative and cultural growth —will be honored at the first Arts VoCo gala, to be held on April 1 at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. Among the honorees is Thays França, who will receive the Artist of Distinction award.
Lieberman said França "embodies creativity." Through her gallery, collaboration with other artists and involvement in the community, França and the Ormond Beach Arts District are setting an example on how art can enhance a community's cultural and economic impact, Lieberman said.
"She is transforming the look of Ormond Beach, one mural at a time," Lieberman said.
França said she's honored to be receiving the award — which is coming at the same time as Art Spotlight is undergoing its exterior transformation.
"I feel like everything is happening all at once and it hasn't stopped, and I hope it won't," França said. "I couldn't pick two amazing things to be happening at the same time. I am very proud and honored to be a part of that."
But like her mural, França said everything is a collaboration.
Art Spotlight co-founder Teri Althouse said she is "stoked" for her.
"I'll be the one in the back clapping the loudest," Althouse said. "I'm going to practice my whistle."
The Arts VoCO Gala will also celebrate philanthropist and art advocate Cici Brown, who will receive the Legacy Award in recognition of her contributions to arts and culture in Volusia County, including the Riverfront Esplanade in Daytona Beach, MOAS and the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art.
"She just embodies art, within not only Daytona beach, but within Volusia County," Lieberman said. "We hope that her love and dedication to the arts inspire the next generation to give back and help grow the arts in our community."
Additional honorees include the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach for "Outstanding Arts and Cultural Organization," and two Volusia County Schools art educators and two students for the Volusia County Schools Fine Arts Program Awards. The students will receive scholarships from the Daytona Beach Kiwanis Club.
Investing in VCS fine arts programs are one of the ways Lieberman said Season of the Arts aims to raise awareness. The net proceeds of the gala will gotoward VCS fine arts programs.
VoCo is not only an abbreviation for Volusia County. It's a latin term that means "to summon."
"We're using that play on words because it's about the entire community," Lieberman said. "Everyone can enjoy art. There are no boundaries. There are no cultural, economic divides in art. We all come together for the same purpose."
For a list of events, or to learn more, visit https://www.artsvoco.com.
