Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Burt's Bees founder Roxanne Quimby was honored with the Entrepreneurship in the Arts Award this evening at the Maine College of Art's 15th annual Art Honors. The sold-out creative black tie party attracted more than 270 people to MECA's Porteous Building in the heart of the Arts District. Roxanne, shown above admiring the award with event co-chair Andy Verzosa, returned to Maine after she sold Burt's Bees and established two foundations, one of which is the Quimby Colony artist-in-residence program on Congress Street in Portland.

The evening's Leadership in Arts Philanthropy Award went to Betsy Evans Hunt and Christopher Hunt. Betsy served on the MECA board for 17 years and chaired the college's recent $10.5 million fundraising effort. Christopher is a family practice physician in Cape Elizabeth and trustee of the Hunt Family Foundation. Both have been strong supporters of MECA. In the photo above, event co-chair Margaret Minister O'Keefe introduces Betsy and Christopher, while Andy and MECA President Don Tuski look on.

Artist and beloved continuing studies instructor Janet Conlon Manyan received the Leadership in Art Education Award. She's taught in the continuing studies program for 15 years, and I hear her classes regularly have waiting lists. She's also a highly respected painter, who exhibits in Maine, Connecticut and New York.

Following the cocktail hour and the awards ceremony all the guests headed to three different areas of the building to enjoy dinner. I was seated in the library, where Betsy and Christopher were the guests of honor. Here former MECA President Roger Gilmore toasts the couple's generosity to the college.

Be sure to pick up the May 22 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more photos and details from the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

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Avery Yale Kamila dishes about southern Maine's hottest parties.

Avery can be contacted at 791-6297 or akamila@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @AveryYaleKamila

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