Polk Arts & Culture Alliance (PACA) Holds Hall of Fame Gala in Haines City
On Oct. 7, the Polk Arts & Culture Alliance (PACA) Hall of Fame Gala convened at the Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City to recognize and celebrate the achievements of both individuals and arts organizations that influence and make major impacts in Polk County. The evening also included the induction of six new members into the Hall of Fame, including a husband-and-wife team.
The awards presentation began with the 2026 Elected Official Award presented to Polk County Commissioner Martha Santiago by PACA Executive Director Marialaura Leslie.
There were six categories of the Arts & Culture Awards. Led by Mistress of Ceremonies Beth Cummings, those categories were:
- Arts and Culture Organization of the Year (Winner: Lake Wales Arts Center)
- Philanthropic Organization or Individuals of the Year (Winner: Bev and Clayton Hollis)
- Arts and Culture Volunteer of the Year (Winner: Shing Palagano)
- Arts and Culture Educator of the Year (Winner: Amanda Neff)
- Art for Good (Winner: Bishop & Brother’s Marching Warriors)
- Arts and Culture Ambassador (Winner: Dan Chesnicka)
In addition to those selected this year was the announcement that this year’s grant program, which consisted of five $5,000 grants, had 30 applicants.
From there, Dr. Daryl Ward assumed the role of emcee to introduce this year’s Hall of Fame inductees:
- Patrick Fleitz
- Tom Freeman
- Johnny Bernard Neal Jr.
- Patricia Lamb
- Lois Cowles Harrison
- Jean and David Bunch
A portrait of each new member of the Hall of Fame was presented instead of a plaque, with family members accepting for the three inductees no longer alive.
Brief Biographies
Patrick Fleitz
Music Educator, Pianist, and Arts Advocate
For decades, Patrick Fleitz has inspired students and audiences alike through his work as an accomplished pianist, dedicated educator, and champion of the performing arts. As a faculty member at Harrison School for the Arts, Fleitz has mentored countless young musicians, many of whom have gone on to successful professional careers in piano and music performance.
Beyond the classroom, Fleitz has elevated the quality and accessibility of local theater productions while mentoring emerging arts leaders and educators throughout the region.
Tom Freeman (posthumous)
Artist, Educator, and Community Builder
Known for his magnificent artwork of Florida landscapes, nearly 1,000 originals, his love of art began at age 18 while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
After moving to Lake Wales in 1958, he quickly became an entrepreneur and owned several businesses, most notably Freeman’s Art and Frame Shop. He was also an art teacher at Lake Wales High School, dean of students, and eventually assistant principal before his retirement from LWHS in the late 1980s.
He also authored “Tom Freeman’s Florida,” a book that highlighted the 67 counties in Florida. He also completed two murals at AdventHealth Lake Wales, featuring Bok Tower and the Lake Wales Arts Center.
Johnny Bernard Neal Jr. (posthumous)
Music Educator and Community Mentor
Johnny Bernard Neal Jr. served as band director at Jewett High School from 1953 to 1968 and continued his work as a music educator and band director following the integration of Polk County Public Schools at what is now Jewett Academy.
He dedicated more than 35 years to educating and mentoring students in Polk County Public Schools, retiring in 1988 after a distinguished career. Known for his exceptional musical talent and unique style, Neal led the Jewett High School band to statewide recognition for excellence and showmanship. He was also a member of the Bandmasters Association of Florida.
Beyond the classroom, Neal was deeply committed to his students’ futures. He touched countless lives throughout the Florence Villa, Pughsville, and Winter Haven communities, often going above and beyond to help students pursue higher education, ensuring no one was left behind.
Patricia Lamb
Art Educator, Advocate and Statewide Arts Leader
For more than 48 years, Patricia “Pat” Lamb has dedicated her life’s work to strengthening arts education and supporting the educators and students who make it possible. A respected leader, mentor, and advocate, Lamb has played a pivotal role in advancing visual arts education both locally and throughout Florida.
Her leadership extended far beyond the classroom through service as president of the Florida Art Education Association and in numerous board leadership positions.
Joining Lois Eleanor Harrison (holding the portrait of her mother, Lois Cowles Harrison) are her three adult children (second, third and fourth from left). They are joined by Polk Arts & Culture Alliance Executive Director Marialaura Leslie (left) and Michell Githens, chair of the board of directors.
Lois Cowles Harrison (posthumous)
Philanthropist, Civic Leader, and Arts Visionary
Harrison was extensively involved with a number of civic organizations and movements, including serving as president of the League of Women Voters of Polk County and on the board of the National League of Women Voters. She was on the Board of Directors of the Florida Endowment for the Humanities from 1989 to 1993. She was also a trustee of the Cowles Charitable Trust.
The Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts was named for her. Along with her husband, Homer Hooks, the Polk Museum of Art annually awards the Harrison-Hooks Lifetime Achievement Award to a local leading patron of the arts.
Jean and David Bunch
Historic Preservation and Cultural Heritage Champions
Jean and David Bunch have dedicated their lives to preserving and celebrating the history that defines Polk County’s communities. Their work has ensured that important stories, landmarks, and traditions remain part of the county’s cultural landscape.
Jean Bunch founded Historic Lakeland, an organization devoted to protecting and promoting the city’s historic resources, while David is widely recognized as an expert in this field and is often invited as a guest speaker.
Together, the couple championed efforts such as preserving and relocating a historic 1914 farmhouse in South Lakeland and ensuring that Bonnet Springs Park honored its history as a former rail yard.
Their commitment has earned numerous honors, including the Lakeland CityMaker Award, the George Jenkins Award, and the Polk Pioneer Award. Through their leadership, the Bunches have helped preserve the cultural heritage that connects past, present, and future generations.
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Steve Steiner can be reached at: steven.steiner@
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was inducted into the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame in 2026?
Patrick Fleitz, Tom Freeman, Johnny Bernard Neal Jr., Patricia Lamb, Lois Cowles Harrison, and Jean and David Bunch. Freeman, Neal and Harrison were honored posthumously.
Where was the 2026 Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala held?
At the Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City on Oct. 6, 2026.
Who won the 2026 Polk Arts & Culture Awards?
Lake Wales Arts Center for Arts and Culture Organization of the Year, Bev and Clayton Hollis for Philanthropic Organization or Individuals of the Year, Shing Palagano for Arts and Culture Volunteer of the Year, Amanda Neff for Arts and Culture Educator of the Year, Bishop & Brother’s Marching Warriors for Art for Good, and Dan Chesnicka for Arts and Culture Ambassador.
Who received the 2026 Elected Official Award in Polk County?
Polk County Commissioner Martha Santiago, presented by PACA Executive Director Marialaura Leslie.
How many groups applied for Polk Arts & Culture grants this year?
Thirty applicants competed for five grants of $5,000 each.
Sources: Polk Arts & Culture Alliance, polkarts.org, undated; Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala, Lake Eva Event Center, Haines City, October 6, 202
