by Elaine Hamilton

This month the stars shine brightly as the winners of Collier County’s 2009 Stars in the Arts awards are saluted.

The Stars in the Arts program was initiated five years ago by the United Arts Council to recognize individuals and organizations for leadership in the arts. Nominations are accepted from the public, and this year 35 nominations were received. A selection committee consisting of past Stars winners and arts leaders review applications. [Amongst the] Winners for 2009 are:

Peg Longstreth

Peg Longstreth is the owner of the Longstreth-Goldberg Art Gallery. She is an accomplished writer and is co-author of the book “A Bear Called Charlie: A Memoir.” Peg was trained as a classical musician, and is a well-respected music critic. Her reviews of the local classical music scene have appeared in several local papers. Peg is chair of the Collier County Gallery Forum and a founding member of the Naples Fine Art Dealers Association.

Winners will be saluted at an awards luncheon at the Naples Beach Hotel on February 20. Honorary chair of the Stars in the Arts luncheon is WINK-TV anchor, Lois Thome. For ticket information, call the United Arts Council at 263-8242.

Past Stars in the Arts award recipients are: Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Classic Chamber Concerts, Naples Art Association, Art League of Marco Island, Naples Players, Paradise Coastmen Barbershop Chorus, Dolph von Arx, Clyde Butcher, Olga Hirshhorn, Andrea Clark Brown, Delores and John Sorey, Charlie Horn, Paul Arsenault, Bill Meek, Jonathan Green, Mary Margaret Gruszka, Joel Banow, Dr. Ron Bowman, Betsy and Al Harris, Jim Rideoutte, Kathy Spalding, Dr. Ron Doiron, Ted Tobye, Elaine Vreenegoor and student Star Kylen Moran.