Dedicated supporters of community arts, Mr. J.D. and Mrs. Cindy Alexander have contributed time, talent, and resources to ensure the Arts Council thrives for future generations.

They are esteemed civic leaders whose enduring commitment to education, the arts, and community development has significantly enriched Lake Wales and Central Florida. J.D. Alexander, a former Florida State Senator, played a pivotal role in expanding access to higher education in rural Polk County. His advocacy was instrumental in establishing the Polk State J.D. Alexander Center in downtown Lake Wales, which has provided general education and elective classes to thousands of students since its opening in 2009. In 2017, when state budget cuts threatened the center's operations, Alexander's direct engagement with lawmakers helped restore critical funding, ensuring the center's continued service to the community.

Cindy Alexander has been equally impactful through her leadership in philanthropy and the arts. As the inaugural chair of the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation, she spearheaded fundraising efforts that bolstered scholarship support for students. Her extensive experience includes 18 years with the United Way of Central Florida, where she served as chief operating officer and later as a major gifts consultant. Cindy's dedication to the arts is evident in her roles with organizations such as Bok Tower Gardens and the Lake Wales Arts Council, where she has held key leadership positions.​

Together, J.D. and Cindy Alexander have championed initiatives that preserve historic landmarks and promote cultural enrichment. Their collaborative efforts with Polk State College and the Lake Wales Arts Council have ensured the sustainability of vital community resources, such as the Lake Wales Arts Center, fostering a thriving environment for education and the arts in the region.

With a keen eye for the visual arts, Ms. Chrystelle Capps Allen (1928–2011) nurtured local artists and helped elevate the presence of visual culture in Lake Wales.

She was a lifelong Lake Wales resident and dedicated civic leader whose service to the arts, community, and church left a lasting impact. Born on the grounds of Bok Tower Sanctuary and present at its 1929 dedication, Chrystelle’s life was deeply rooted in the history and cultural fabric of her hometown. She graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1946 and began a long and successful career with the telephone company, retiring as a service supervisor from GTE/Verizon in 1986.

A devoted supporter of the arts, Chrystelle was a longtime member of the Lake Wales Arts Council, where she served as treasurer and chaired the annual Art Show. Her contributions were recognized with an honorary lifetime membership to the Lake Wales Arts Center in 2009. She was also deeply involved in the First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales, where she taught Sunday school and held leadership roles at both the local and district levels. Her civic involvement extended to the Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, the Polk County League of Women Voters, Good Shepherd Hospice, and the Lake Wales Women’s Golf Association, where she served in numerous leadership positions.

Chrystelle Allen is remembered for her gracious leadership, tireless volunteerism, and unwavering dedication to community service across generations.

Known for her steadfast commitment to arts education, Mrs. Mary G. Combs (1919–2008) played a pivotal role in fostering creative opportunities for young people in Lake Wales.

She was a gifted musician, visionary arts advocate, and beloved community leader whose influence helped shape the cultural identity of Lake Wales. Born in Montreal and educated at Radcliffe College as a concert pianist, she shared a lifelong love of music and service with her husband of 60 years, whom she met at Harvard. After moving to Lake Wales in 1949, she became a foundational force in the local arts scene—helping to establish the Lake Wales Arts Council, the Lake Wales Art Festival, and the Pinewood Chamber Music Series at Bok Tower Gardens. She served as president of several organizations including the Arts Council, AAUW, and P.E.O., and inspired the creation of the Lake Wales Arts Center, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A passionate educator, she taught art and music as a volunteer, championed women’s athletics in Polk County schools, and frequently performed and lectured on classical music. A longtime member of the Presbyterian Church and the Lake Wales Chorale, Mrs. Combs is remembered for her intellect, warmth, and unwavering dedication to community and family.

A devoted patron of the arts, Mrs. Ruth V. Marchione (1920–2006) generously supported the growth of cultural programming in Lake Wales throughout her life.

She was a devoted educator, community leader, and champion of the arts whose legacy continues to enrich Lake Wales. Originally from Cincinnati, she spent much of her professional life as an elementary teacher and daycare director in New York before retiring to Florida in 1975. In Lake Wales, she became a vital force in numerous civic and cultural initiatives, serving on the Lake Wales Arts Council Board, where she established the Marchione Endowment Fund and helped secure a state grant to restore the historic Holy Spirit Catholic Church for the Arts Council. A tireless advocate for women’s education through her work with the American Association of University Women, she was honored with a named fellowship gift and a lifetime membership award from the Arts Council. Mrs. Marchione also volunteered for Bok Tower Sanctuary and the Lake Wales Literacy Council, leaving a legacy of generosity, leadership, and enduring cultural impact.

Internationally recognized carillonneur and passionate arts ambassador, Mr. Milford Myhre (1932 - ) brought musical excellence and cultural prestige to the Lake Wales community.

He is a world-renowned carillonneur, educator, and cultural leader whose decades of dedication have left an indelible mark on the Lake Wales community and beyond. A resident of Lake Wales since 1968, Myhre served as the carillonneur of Bok Tower Gardens for 36 years, performing daily concerts, hosting international musicians, and founding the International Carillon Festival, the Carillon Fellows program, the Anton Brees Carillon Library, and the Music at Pinewood concert series. He began his musical journey in Nebraska and honed his craft with advanced studies at the University of Michigan and the Royal Carillon School in Belgium. Beyond the Tower, Myhre co-founded the Lake Wales Arts Council and the Lake Wales Chorale, served on the Lake Wales Museum Commission, and played a vital role in the First Presbyterian Church. His mentorship, warmth, and tireless advocacy for the arts have inspired generations of musicians and enriched the cultural life of Lake Wales. Honors include the Berkeley Medal, the Key to the City, and induction into the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame. In 2019, the City of Lake Wales proclaimed June 13 as Milford Myhre Recognition Day, a tribute to a life devoted to music, education, and community.

An inspiring music educator and philanthropist, Mrs. Marilyn Skinner Newell (1929 - 2021) championed youth music initiatives and the accessibility of the arts in Lake Wales and became the namesake for the Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival.

She was a passionate advocate for arts and education whose leadership and legacy profoundly shaped the cultural landscape of Lake Wales. A native of Rochester, New York, and a proud Duke University alumna—where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Chi Omega—Marilyn moved to Lake Wales in 1958 with her husband, Dr. Bruce Newell. A lifelong music lover and accomplished choir director, she served for 28 years at Indian Lake Estates Methodist Church, where she was a founding member.

Marilyn was a driving force behind arts advocacy in Lake Wales, serving twice as president of the Lake Wales Arts Council and founding both the annual Lake Wales Art Show and the Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival—two enduring pillars of the community's cultural calendar. She was also an active member and past president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), where she was honored as a “Woman Who Has Made History in Lake Wales.” In 2017–2018, she was named Pioneer of the Year for her remarkable service and impact.

A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, Marilyn participated in worship, study groups, and community outreach throughout her life. She is remembered for her tireless service, her generous spirit, and her unwavering belief in the power of the arts to uplift, educate, and unite.

A lifelong advocate for the arts, Mrs. Frances Updike’s (1921–2011) vision and leadership helped create the home for the LWAC at the Lake Wales Arts Center.

She was a beloved civic leader, accomplished artist, and philanthropist whose legacy helped shape Lake Wales through decades of cultural and community service. A New York City native and graduate of Barnard College, she worked for American Airlines during WWII before settling in Lake Wales with her husband, Archibald R. Updike, Jr., where they contributed significantly to Florida’s citrus industry. Deeply engaged in civic life, Fran served as president of the AAUW local chapter and the Women’s Club of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She was instrumental in preserving the historic Spanish Mission-style church, now an arts center featuring Updike Hall named in her honor. A founding supporter of the Lake Wales YMCA and L’Arche Harbor House, she was recognized as Lake Wales Citizen of the Year in 1984. Known for her adventurous spirit, strong faith, and deep love for family, Fran Updike leaves behind a legacy of generosity, creativity, and lasting community impact.