History of the Awards
Sponsored and administered by the Community Ballet Association, the Virginia Hammill Simms Award, established in 1967, recognizes the volunteer efforts of an individual's contribution to the arts in the Huntsville/Madison County community.
Created in 2015 by CBA, the Katherine and Richard Lester Emerging Arts Contribution Award recognizes an individual newer to the arts community but whose volunteer contributions have dramatically impacted the Huntsville/Madison County arts community over the past year.
These awards involve nominees being put forward by arts organizations focusing on the personal involvement, innovation and creativity, commitment and dedication, diversity and depth of activities, leadership, and impact the volunteer exhibits (see Evaluation Criteria). The nominee packets are then sent to out of state judges for evaluation. The prestigious awards are presented at the annual dinner featuring a program honoring the nominees, and the announcement of the winner of the award.
Mrs. Virginia Hammill Simms
Mrs. Virginia Hammill Simms moved to Huntsville in 1962 with her husband Leroy Simms, Editor of The Huntsville Times. She was a life-long supporter of the Arts and a committed community volunteer. Upon her arrival to Huntsville, she immediately became involved in numerous service projects and organizations.
Among her many contributions, in 1963 Mrs. Simms initiated a citywide dogwood planting campaign. In under three years, over 14,500 pink and white flowering trees were planted throughout the city - many still blooming today. Mrs. Simms was also instrumental in the development of a plan to preserve and develop ten acres in downtown Huntsville, now known as Big Spring International Park. This plan was presented to Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, and with the endorsement of The First Lady, many nations made gifts to the park. Mrs. Simms was active in the Huntsville Council for International Visitors, and in August 1966, she was awarded the Coat of Arms Award by the Army Missile Command and Marshall Space Flight Center, its highest award for distinguished service.
In 1965, she approached Eric Fris, Director of the Arts Council, and requested that the Performing Arts Organizations get together for a cameo performance in the Arts Council’s Auditorium on Clinton Avenue. On November 7, 1965, several groups got together and performed in the first “Showcase of the Arts”. After Mrs. Simms passed away, the Community Ballet Association and the leaders of its board, Mrs. Loren Dickerson, President, and Dr. Richard Lester, Vice President, wanted to continue to honor Mrs. Simms with the “Virginia Hammill Simms Memorial Award Dinner” to show appreciation for her dedication to the Arts in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1968, the first recipient of the Virginia Hammill Simms Award was recognized.
Created in 2015 by CBA, the Katherine and Richard Lester Emerging Arts Contribution Award recognizes an individual newer to the arts community but whose volunteer contributions have dramatically impacted the Huntsville/Madison County arts community over the past year.
These awards involve nominees being put forward by arts organizations focusing on the personal involvement, innovation and creativity, commitment and dedication, diversity and depth of activities, leadership, and impact the volunteer exhibits (see Evaluation Criteria). The nominee packets are then sent to out of state judges for evaluation. The prestigious awards are presented at the annual dinner featuring a program honoring the nominees, and the announcement of the winner of the award.
Mrs. Virginia Hammill Simms
Mrs. Virginia Hammill Simms moved to Huntsville in 1962 with her husband Leroy Simms, Editor of The Huntsville Times. She was a life-long supporter of the Arts and a committed community volunteer. Upon her arrival to Huntsville, she immediately became involved in numerous service projects and organizations.
Among her many contributions, in 1963 Mrs. Simms initiated a citywide dogwood planting campaign. In under three years, over 14,500 pink and white flowering trees were planted throughout the city - many still blooming today. Mrs. Simms was also instrumental in the development of a plan to preserve and develop ten acres in downtown Huntsville, now known as Big Spring International Park. This plan was presented to Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, and with the endorsement of The First Lady, many nations made gifts to the park. Mrs. Simms was active in the Huntsville Council for International Visitors, and in August 1966, she was awarded the Coat of Arms Award by the Army Missile Command and Marshall Space Flight Center, its highest award for distinguished service.
In 1965, she approached Eric Fris, Director of the Arts Council, and requested that the Performing Arts Organizations get together for a cameo performance in the Arts Council’s Auditorium on Clinton Avenue. On November 7, 1965, several groups got together and performed in the first “Showcase of the Arts”. After Mrs. Simms passed away, the Community Ballet Association and the leaders of its board, Mrs. Loren Dickerson, President, and Dr. Richard Lester, Vice President, wanted to continue to honor Mrs. Simms with the “Virginia Hammill Simms Memorial Award Dinner” to show appreciation for her dedication to the Arts in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1968, the first recipient of the Virginia Hammill Simms Award was recognized.
Katherine & Richard Lester
Katherine and Dr. Richard Lester were active supporters, leaders, founders, and artistic contributors to the arts in Huntsville, Alabama, for over 50 years. Katherine Lester, a former pediatric nurse married Dr. Richard Lester a pediatrician, in 1955, and the couple moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1958. As avid supporters of the arts, they had a shared vision to enrich the arts community. Over the years, the Lester's worked to establish the the Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater, the Huntsville Literary Association, the Community Ballet Association, and The Arts Council. Katherine and Richard continued to stay actively involved on the board of directors of Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater.
Katherine and Richard's legacy continues to guide and grow the arts through their involvement and volunteerism with many organizations that teach and foster the arts with children. The award recognizes young volunteerism in the arts and encourages the same level of engagement in the arts community. Dr. Lester passed in 2020, and Katherine passed in 2021.
Katherine and Dr. Richard Lester were active supporters, leaders, founders, and artistic contributors to the arts in Huntsville, Alabama, for over 50 years. Katherine Lester, a former pediatric nurse married Dr. Richard Lester a pediatrician, in 1955, and the couple moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1958. As avid supporters of the arts, they had a shared vision to enrich the arts community. Over the years, the Lester's worked to establish the the Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater, the Huntsville Literary Association, the Community Ballet Association, and The Arts Council. Katherine and Richard continued to stay actively involved on the board of directors of Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater.
Katherine and Richard's legacy continues to guide and grow the arts through their involvement and volunteerism with many organizations that teach and foster the arts with children. The award recognizes young volunteerism in the arts and encourages the same level of engagement in the arts community. Dr. Lester passed in 2020, and Katherine passed in 2021.