Tampa, Fla. – (Mar 24, 2015) Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce its 2015 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program Distinguished Panel of Judges. For each category to which High School Juniors and Seniors from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties have applied, the judges who bring their unique expertise are: Eugenie Bondurant, Theatre; Richard Sparrow, Instrumental Music; Dawne Eubanks, Vocal Music; Brian Fidalgo, Dance; Michael Murphy, Visual Arts; and Lisa Unger, Literary Arts.

TBBCA is excited to welcome back the award winning Ms. LISA UNGER to judge the competitive submissions for the Literary Arts scholarship. New York Times and international bestselling author LISA UNGER‘s accolades include selections as a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Book, an International Thriller Writers finalist for Best Novel, a Florida Book Award winner, a Prix Polar International Award finalist, and a Target “Emerging Author.” Her writing has been hailed as “stellar” (USA Today), “arresting and meaningful” (Washington Post) with “gripping narrative and evocative, muscular prose” (Associated Press.) Her novels have been named top picks by the Today show, Good Morning America, Walmart Book Club, Harper’s Bazaar, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Washington Life, Publishers Weekly, New York Daily News, Bookspan’s International Book of the Month, Indie Next and Amazon (Top Ten Thriller of the Year.) More than 2 million copies of her books have been sold in 26 languages. She currently lives in Florida.

TBBCA is proud to support young artists with The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships. Six students will be awarded $2,500 to be used for tuition at the college, university or professional arts training program of their choice. The 2015 winners will be announced in early April. Since 2007, TBBCA has awarded $107,500 to over 40 Bay area students to continue their education and pursue careers in the arts.

TBBCA Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program is sponsored by individual and corporate donations. Major contributors include Premier Eye Care; Stephen Gay; Linda & Michael Connelly; Anil Kottoor/MedHOK; Greenberg Traurig; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick; Katharine Weymouth; Tampa Bay Magazine, the Tampa Bay Times and Cox Media Group.

For scholarship donations and sponsorship opportunities please contact TBBCA Executive Director: susanaweymouth@tbbca.org.

About TBBCA:

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a non-profit organization with the mission to unite Tampa Bay businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community. TBBCA’s innovative partnerships link area businesses in support of culture and the arts and arts education.

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