Five honored at ROWITA Awards ceremony

The St. Johns Cultural Council has recognized five women for their contributions to the arts during the 2025 Dr. Gail Pflaster Recognizing Outstanding Women in the Arts (ROWITA) Awards ceremony, held at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Avenue, in March.

This year’s honorees are Irene Arriola, Ellie Potts Barrett, Joanne Everett, Inez McDonald and Caren Umbarger. Each woman has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape of St. Johns County through leadership, education, philanthropy and artistic achievement.

About the Honorees

• Irene Arriola has promoted local arts and culture for three decades as an advocate and volunteer, serving on both the Cultural Council’s State of the Arts Grant Committee since 2008 and the ROWITA Committee since 2011.

• Ellie Potts Barrett is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer and educator who has taught and performed across the country and contributed greatly to local dance education since 1994.

• Joanne Everett has shown outstanding leadership in music education and serves as president of EMMA Concert Association, bringing world-class performances to St. Augustine.

• Inez McDonald has enriched the community with her philanthropy, supporting major cultural projects at the Lightner Museum, Limelight Theatre and other organizations.

• Caren Umbarger is a musician, music educator and award-winning author whose work has contributed to the vibrancy of St. Johns County’s arts scene.

Guests enjoyed live harp music by Susan Tice and food and beverages provided by Verdell’s Cooking & Catering. In keeping with tradition, each honoree received a hand-turned wood bowl created by award-winning St. Johns County wood turner Tina Minahan.

Since 2021, the Cultural Council has commissioned resident women artists to craft unique awards for the ROWITA program.

The St. Johns Cultural Council established the Dr. Gail Pflaster ROWITA Awards in 2009 to recognize women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the arts in St. Johns County. The community is encouraged to submit nominations of women who have made lifetime contributions to the arts in St. Johns County through their work, leadership or philanthropic support.

Nomination applications for 2026 will open Nov. 1 and close Dec. 31 at stjohnsculture.com/rowita-awards.