CultureMix Arts founder and artistic director Mary Genis has been recognised with the Putting Reading on the Map Award at the Caribbean Heritage Centre’s Community Awards, held at St Laurence’s Church on Saturday 12 September.
The award presented by the Mayor of Reading, celebrates Mary’s longstanding contribution to promoting Reading through music, culture and the arts from the CultureMix Arts & Music Centre, and particularly through her work with the award-winning Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra (RASPO).
RASPO has proudly represented Reading for many years, and its recent appearances celebrating the 75th anniversary of London’s Southbank Centre and the 60th London Notting Hill Carnival have taken the town’s talent and cultural vibrancy to major national and international audiences.
With her dedicated CultureMix Arts team, Mary has championed steel pan music, carnival arts, young musicians and diverse cultural heritage, helping to build opportunities for artists while ensuring Reading is represented on some of the country’s most prestigious stages.
Receiving the award is a fitting recognition of her continued commitment to placing Reading firmly on the cultural map.
The Caribbean Heritage Centre Awards, conceived by director Burton Richards, brought the community together for an inspiring celebration of achievement, heritage and culture.
The well-attended event featured performances from Reading Gospel Choir, singer Julia Titus and vocalist Cliffton Medford.
The presentation of awards recognises individuals whose work has positively impacted others while shining a much deserved spotlight on the many unsung heroes whose contributions continue to enrich and strengthen Reading’s Black community.
