The ArtsQuest Foundation has announced its winners of select 2023 Linny Awards, presented to distinguished individuals from the region for their longtime commitment and dedication to the arts.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Barb and the late John “Jack” Yaissle

Jack and Barb were born in Pottsville and graduated from Pottsville HS. Jack graduated from Lehigh University and Barb graduated from Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing. Living in the Lehigh Valley, Jack founded Cornerstone Financial Consultants. Jack and Barb have three children and four grandchildren. They have both volunteered and financially supported various charities throughout their lives, including ArtsQuest, ArtsQuest Foundation, Lehigh University and St. Thomas More Church.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Volunteer

Chuck and Cindy Yeoman

Chuck and Cindy have been residents of Williams Township, Pa. since 1992, relocating from Bucks County. Chuck, now retired, was vice president, partner and COO at Campbell Supply Company, where he worked for 37 years and currently consults through his company, CJY Solutions, LLC. Cindy, also retired, was employed with M&M Sales, Inc. where she oversaw financial operations and sales support. The couple spent many years volunteering with the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Chuck as a Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout coach and Cindy as a den and pack leader. Chuck is also involved in local sportsmen’s and veteran associations. Over the years, Cindy has volunteered with ArtsQuest as an usher, ticket taker, festival set up/take down, beer tapping and stagehand. Chuck is a board member of the Friends of Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks and an ArtsQuest volunteer. The Yeomans have two adult sons and are proud owners of one dog and four cats.

Philanthropy in the Arts Award

Brenda and John McGlade

Brenda and John are lifelong residents of the Lehigh Valley, splitting their time between Bethlehem and Marco Island, Fla.. John is a Lehigh University graduate and retired chairman and CEO of Air Products. Brenda, a retired music teacher and choir director, attended Westminster Choir College and graduated with a bachelor of music education degree with an emphasis in pipe organ and voice. The McGlades are avid supporters of the arts, including ArtsQuest (John was an ArtsQuest Foundation Trustee), Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Zoellner Arts Center, Community Music School and Artist-Naples. Brenda has also been very active in bringing the arts to children, volunteering in after-school voice, piano and theater activities with the Boys and Girls Club, of Allentown and sponsoring summer camp scholarships in arts and music programs for children. Musikfest is, of course, one of the McGlade’s favorite events, as they have been to most every festival since the beginning.

They have four children – Matt, Jackie, Steve and Zack and their wonder dog, Elly. Sidenote – Matt and his band have played numerous Musikfest venues over the years.

Business Supporter of the Arts Award

Boyle Construction

Boyle Construction has been a leader in construction management in the Lehigh Valley since 1977. The company has over 100 construction professionals working to ensure projects are ‘Built Better.’ They are proud of the long list of repeat clients and businesses they have had the pleasure to work with over the last 45 years. Their Building Better Together Committee invests in local organizations such as ArtsQuest that help support the lives of people in the community where employees, customers and partners live, work and play.

The ArtsQuest Foundation is still accepting nominations for the following categories:

• Visual Artist of the Year

• Performing Artist of the Year

• Emerging Artist of the Year

• Arts Educator of the Year

• Student Artist Scholarship Award

Any individual, business or community group interested in nominating a person for the Linny Awards can do so at www.artsquestfoundation.org/linnyawards. Winners will be selected by the ArtsQuest’s Performing Arts Board, Visual Arts Board, and the ArtsQuest Foundation Board of Trustees, and announced in July.

Proceeds from the Linny Awards go to support the nonprofit ArtsQuest Foundation, which Fowler helped found in 2003. The foundation is focused on supporting and strengthening the long-term sustainability of ArtsQuest, the nonprofit that presents Musikfest and more than 4,000 other programs, events and educational classes annually for our region.

The fifth annual Linny Awards celebration will be held Thursday, November 9 at 5 p.m. at SteelStacks.

For complete information on the ArtsQuest Foundation and the Linny Awards, please visit www.artsquestfoundation.org/linnyawards