The 9th Annual Onyx Awards themed The Art of It All, will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel located at 9840 International Drive Orlando, Florida on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 6 pm. This awards gala is the largest multicultural gathering throughout the state, and recognizes the outstanding achievements of African-Americans, and those of the African Diaspora. This year, the Onyx Awards will honor nominees in four competitive categories and seven non-competitive categories, who are trailblazers and have made significant contributions in their field.
The Florida Highwaymen and actor Norman Lewis will receive special recognition for their national and statewide contributions to art. The Florida Highwaymen is a group of 26 African-America artists, who have been called “the last great American Art Movement of the 20th century.” Their original paintings are in high demand nationally and internationally and can be found in the State Capital as well as the White House.
Norman Lewis was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and grew up in Eatonville, Florida, and worked for the Orlando Sentinel before making acting a full-time career. He started acting on Broadway and expanded his acting to television, and with his powerful singing, he has become a recording artist. This year’s event will include a salute to Congresswoman Frederica Wilson; FAMU former president Dr. Fredrick Humphries; Jones High School’s community activist and volunteer, Ms. Barber Young. The gala is hosted by the sensational Sandra Benjamin Clarke.
The Ovation Week will feature Onyx Speaks, which provides the attendees an opportunity to meet the Highwaymen, up close and personal as they share their stories of promoting their art during the racially segregated south in the mid-60s. The event will be held at the Orlando Museum of Art, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 6pm, and several of their paintings will be on display. The Onyx Mixer, the official kick-off reception will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011 at Tavern on the Lake located at 6999 Piazza Grande Avenue, Orlando, Florida, with live entertainment provided by Silkee Smoove. There will be a silent auction of the Highwaymen’s paintings during the Onyx Awards Gala, and live entertainment by Soul Kamotion.
The title sponsor this year is Blue Cross & Blue Shield, and other sponsors are Bright House, OUC, Rosen Hotels, AT&T, UCF Foundation, Bank of America, Sun Trust, Asur Media, Office Furniture Outlet and Visit Orlando.
Tickets for Onyx Speaks and the Onyx Mixer are $20.00. Onyx Gala Tickets are $85.00 per person and $1000 for a corporate table of ten. For additional information, log onto www.onyxawards.com or contact [email protected].
