The City of Lake Wales took center stage at this year’s Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance Hall of Fame Gala, celebrating some of the county’s most inspiring contributors to the arts.
Beloved Lake Wales historian and preservation advocate Mimi Hardman was officially inducted into the Polk Arts & Cultural Hall of Fame for her decades of dedication to preserving local history and promoting cultural enrichment throughout Polk County.
Bok Tower Gardens, one of the city’s most treasured landmarks, earned the title of Arts & Cultural Organization of the Year, highlighting its ongoing impact on education, nature, and the arts.
In addition, Lake Wales resident Becky Wynkoop was among the finalists for Arts & Cultural Volunteer of the Year, and Tommy Frank, Executive Director of the Lake Wales Arts Center, received a nomination for the Rising Star Award.
2025 Polk Arts & Cultural Hall of Fame Inductees:
Robert Butler, Visual Arts – Lakeland John & Terry Frost, Arts & Cultural Champions Mimi Hardman, Arts & Cultural Champion – Lake Wales Joe Mitchell, Arts Educator – Lakeland Carol Krajacic Erkes, Arts Educator – Winter Haven Alan Reynolds, Theater Arts – Lakeland
