The honorees represent a broad spectrum of disciplines, including music, visual arts, historic preservation, philanthropy, and arts education.
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
- Patrick Fleitz (Music Educator, Pianist, and Arts Advocate)Accomplished pianist and longtime faculty member at the Harrison School for the Arts who mentored generations of professional musicians and elevated local theater productions.
- Tom Freeman (Artist, Educator, and Community Builder)The late artist and educator whose work celebrated Florida’s landscape, history, and community spirit.
- David and Jean Bunch (Historic Preservation and Cultural Heritage Champions)Prominent voices for historical preservation in Polk County and civic leaders honored for their work sustaining the county’s historical core.
- Lois Cowles Harrison (Philanthropist, Civic Leader, and Arts Visionary)A transformative advocate for local arts access and cultural enrichment whose legacy is tied directly to the advancement of arts education throughout Polk County.
- Gram Parsons (Music Pioneer)The late Winter Haven-born artist who pioneered “Cosmic American Music”—a genre-blending fusion of country, rock, soul, and R&B that influenced American music history.
Induction Ceremony Details
- Event: Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala
- Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Location: Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City
- Permanent Exhibit: The inductees will join previous honorees on permanent display in the Polk Arts & Culture Exhibit on the second floor of the Polk County History Center in Bartow.
(Visited 19 times, 1 visits today)