Story and Photography by Joyce Taylor

Gloria Bonner and Lori Williams served as the accomplished chairs for the 2026 Backstage Bash. VIP guests attended a reception in the art gallery, featuring cocktails and appetizers and viewed a new Shacklett Studio photography installation highlighting the history of Murfreesboro square. Following the reception, all attendees convened in the auditorium, where the Chairs and Executive Director, Regina Ward, expressed gratitude to staff and sponsors and honored Matthew Stump as the Arts Advocate of the Year—an award now named after Gloria Bonner. The stage was elegantly decorated for a fabulous dinner, catered by The Alley on Main, with entertaining stories related by Shawn Hackinson, co-owner of The Alley, throughout the meal.

     The Center is dedicated to enriching the community culturally and economically through the arts, offering diverse programs to support this mission.For more information, visit here.