Eight artists, teachers to be honored by ASC

The spotlight will land on eight standouts in Charlotte culture and education  when the Arts & Science Council presents its ASC Honors on Oct. 16. 

The awards, given out every three years, recognize Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents who have increased the area's creative richness. 

"From Clara Jones transforming her west Charlotte home into a piano studio, housing 26 pianos, to teach hundreds of students, to Libby Withrow, an educator who engages students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (in) the field of science every day, ASC is proud to honor them," ASC president Scott Provancher said in a statement. 

The honorees are: 

Robert Corbin, vice president of learning experiences at Discovery Place. He took part in the design of the new exhibitions unveiled in the science center's 2010 renovation. 

Clara Jones, a retired CMS music teacher and private piano teacher. She expanded her Lincoln Heights home repeatedly until it held more than 20 pianos for her students' use. 

Wesley Mancini, fiber artist and founder of Wesley Mancini, Ltd., which employs artists, colorists and others to create fabrics, rugs  and related products.  

Dan Morrill, a longtime UNC Charlotte history professor and Charlotte champion of historic preservation.

Kathy Reichs, a novelist, forensic anthropologist and UNCC professor. Reich's books inspired the television series "Bones," of which she's a producer. 

There also are three recipients of the Cato Lifetime Achievement  in Teaching Award: 

Byron Baldwin, photographer and longtime photography teacher at Myers Park High and colleges in the area. 

Andrew West, speech teacher at Myers Park High and coach of its prizewinning debate team. 

Elizabeth "Libby" Withrow, longtime CMS teacher and chair of the science department at South Mecklenburg High. 

The awards will be given out at concert featuring the Sphinx Virtuosi, a string orchestra founded by the Sphinx Organization, a national group aimed at creating classical-music opportunities for young African-American and Latino players. Charlotte Concerts brought the ensemble to Central Piedmont Community College last season, and it played with gusto. 

Tickets to the ASC event, which is co-sponsored by the Charlotte Symphony, are $20. The program will begin with spoken and video presentations honoring the recipients, the ASC says. Then the Sphinx Virtuosi will take over.