PORTSMOUTH – Arts In Reach has announced it will present the 2022 Spirit of AIR Award to Anne Romney of Portsmouth on September 14th.
Annually at the Spirit of AIR Celebration, the organization honors someone who embodies its mission and works to improve the lives of teenagers and others from the Greater Seacoast. This year’s Spirit of AIR Celebration marks the 25th anniversary of the organization.
Last year’s honoree, Glicka Kaplan, who is also an AIR Board Member and former President, comments: “We are very pleased to honor Anne at our 25th anniversary celebration. Anne Romney stands for a life full of the Spirit of AIR. Through her years of support and enthusiastic teaching, she has encouraged our teens, staff, board and teaching artists to live our mission.”
Founded in 1997, AIR is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to empowering teenage girls and gender-biased youth ages 11-22. Led by professional artists, its free, year-round programs encourage the confidence, collaboration, and leadership skills teens need to build fulfilling lives.
Romney is a staunch supporter of AIR and its mission. She advocates for AIR teenagers, participates in their art exhibitions and leads workshops on diversity, justice, inclusion and justice for AIR employees and board members.
“I believe so much in AIR and all the good that it has accomplished over the last 25 years,” said Romney. “It is my honor and pleasure to receive this award, attend the 25th celebration and help spread awareness of this wonderful organization.”
After moving to Portsmouth over a decade ago, Romney quickly became a paragon of community service. She is a membership coordinator for Seacoast NAACP and a member of the NH Black Heritage Trail program committee. She leads Stand Up to Racism workshops, facilitates White People Challenging Racism programs and leads Portsmouth Listens groups. She is past President of Friends Forever International and a dedicated volunteer at the Alzheimer’s Association. She also sings with Voices From The Heart.
AIR Executive Director Debra Holloway emphasized, “Anne is committed to so many important causes locally, nationally and internationally. We are incredibly proud to recognize Anne’s impact on our community.”
AIR will present the award to Romney on September 14th from 5pm to 7pm on the patio of the Atlantic Grill in Rye. Tickets to attend the event are available at www.artsinreach.org/events or by calling 603-433-4278. Donations are welcome. The event is sponsored in part by Service Credit Union and Kennebunk Savings Bank.
