Former Fleeson Gooing attorney J. Eric Engstrom has been honored with the 2021 Gordon W. Evans Art Leadership Award by the Wichita Arts Council. The award was presented at the 51st Annual Arts Awards dinner held at the Wichita Art Museum on November 4, 2021.
The Annual Arts Council Awards were established in 1969 to recognize and honor those businesses, foundations and individuals who have displayed consistent and exemplary support of the arts and humanities in the Wichita/Sedgwick County area. These awards focus attention on the importance of the arts as they relate to the quality of life in Wichita/Sedgwick County and honor those who have made major creative achievements or significant contributions to cultural growth or development.
The Art Leadership Award is given to a patron demonstrating outstanding leadership and special support for the arts. Eric is a deserving recipient of this award. He has served as president and board member of the Orpheum Performing Arts Centre in Wichita and has been and member and chair of the Wichita Art Museum board of trustees. He served as the museum’s Interim Director during the fundraising and planning phase of its expansion. He is a previous recipient of the Arts Council’s Individual Recognition Award.
Eric was a member of Fleeson Gooing for over 40 years before his retirement in 2017