A Wake Forest nonprofit that puts the arts first in the community, is now putting the arts first in its new name. Wake Forest ARTS has changed its name and updated its logo to ARTS Wake Forest (AWF).

For 28 years, the organization has supported and enhanced a strong, vibrant community through the development, promotion and coordination of arts and cultural activities, and the group believes its new name will help it gain greater awareness as an independent, all-volunteer organization.

“Events presented by ARTS Wake Forest bring arts to our community and provide opportunities for established and emerging artists, while also encouraging creativity, innovation and interaction,” said Mary Petretich, ARTS Wake Forest president. “This subtle but significant name change, along with a new logo, puts the emphasis where it belongs – on the arts.”

The group’s new logo, designed by AWF Board Member Bill Cokas’ branding agency Strategic Insights in Wake Forest, conveys the many different art forms supported by the nonprofit – music, drama, film, dance and the written word.

The nonprofit was started in 1990 by a group of community volunteers who called it the Wake Forest Cultural Arts Association. Today, it produces a variety of concerts and events throughout the year, many free-of-charge, that help unify Wake Forest’s growing community.

Best known for its founding of the Six Sundays in Spring concert series, AWF recently introduced the Wake Forest Dance Festival which presented its second free performance at Joyner Park in September. Other events presented by AWF includes Neck of the Woods performance series and the Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market.

AWF also provides scholarships for emerging artists in the Wake Forest Children’s Choir and student participants of the Wake Forest Dance Festival.

To benefit cultural events and educational programs of AWF, a fundraiser is planned for March 2, 2019, 6:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Arti Gras will be a Mardi Gras celebration with dinner, dancing, and a silent auction.

ARTS Wake Forest is funded through support from the Town of Wake Forest, grants, business and individual contributions, and corporate sponsorships. Visit www.ARTSWakeForest.org to learn more and to donate.