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Dogwood Arts chooses 2020 Co-Chairs KNOXVILLE — Dogwood Arts is excited to announce Robin Wilhoit and Mike C. Berry as the 2020 Dogwood Arts Co-Chairs. Since 1961, Dogwood Arts has been represented by two prominent community leaders who are selected annually to act as ambassadors of our organization.
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Robin Wilhout; image courtesy of Dogwood Arts
Mike C. Berry; image courtesy of Dogwood Arts |
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Robin Wilhoit is the weekday anchor on WBIR Channel 10 where she has worked since 1992. She is passionate about issues involving women and children and is a member of several community organizations including Variety of East Tennessee, A Children's Charity, the United Way of Greater Knoxville, and the YWCA. Mike C. Berry is a local artist well-known for his urban compositions that bend and twist cityscapes. Mike manages the UT Downtown Gallery and is represented by The District Gallery in Knoxville, TN and The River Gallery in Chattanooga, TN.
“We feel honored to have Robin Wilhoit and Mike C. Berry as Dogwood Arts Co-chairs for the 2020 season. Each year, we rely on our co-chairs to be a source of energy, enthusiasm, and new perspectives. With Mike's involvement in the art community as an artist and gallery manager and Robin's undeniable popularity as one of our area's most-loved television personalities and community supporters, we are certain that our 2020 Co-chairs will inspire us with energy and enthusiasm,” said Sherry Jenkins, Dogwood Arts Executive Director.
As Co-Chairs, Robin and Mike will champion the organization as official community ambassadors for 18 programs and events that Dogwood Arts produces throughout the year.
Regarding her appointment, Robin remarks “For decades, the Dogwood Arts Festival has been shining a light on the beauty and creativity of Knoxville. I’m incredibly honored to be a part of the celebration of this place we call “home” and welcome all to come and discover what makes Knoxville so special.” Mike adds, “I am truly grateful and looking forward to serving with this wonderful organization, Dogwood Arts, that enriches our lives and brings people together through the arts making Knoxville a great place to call home.”
Previous Dogwood Arts co-chairs include Ashleigh Christian, Clarence L. Vaughn III, Dino Cartwright, Jennifer Holder, Janet Testerman-Crossley, Joan Cronan, Ken Lowe, Bob Thomas, Erin Donovan, Alvin Nance, Eddie Mannis, and many more.
More about the 2020 Co-Chairs:
Robin was born and raised in North Carolina but has been proud to call East Tennessee home for the last 20 years. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Just a few days after receiving her diploma, she started her reporting career at WJHL-TV In Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1992, Robin joined the WBIR news team as a reporter and joined long-time Channel 10 Anchor Bill Williams at the news desk in 1998. The same year, she helped launch the Buddy Check 10 program to promote breast cancer awareness and has been sharing the stories of women and men who have so bravely battled this disease ever since.
Considered a versatile painter who works in vibrant colors, bringing energy and rhythm to each work, Mike C. Berry creates urban compositions that bend and twist the cityscapes that have become his identifiable style. He credits the work of Wolf Kahn, Edward Hopper, and Knoxville artist, Joseph Delaney for encouraging his use color, line and the cityscape as subject matter. Mike was the 2007 Dogwood Arts Festival Limited Edition Print Artist and was awarded Best Visual Artist in Knoxville by the Knoxville News Sentinel Readers Poll in 2009. He has exhibited his work in numerous group exhibitions and a solo exhibition; Something Blue, in September 2017.
Recently, he illustrated a children’s book, The Curious Adventures of Wickl Wackl and his Friends written by his friend Renee D’Elia-Zunino. Mike is originally from the Midwest and earned a MFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art & Design. See more of his work at www.mikecberry.com.
Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty.
Published January 15, 2020 |
