In 1973, Phyllis Ennes met with Anacortes School Superintendent Walter Brodniak to discuss the state of arts education.

“I went to see him as a parent to tell him I was appalled at the arts opportunities for the children of Anacortes,” she said.

Before long, he put her in charge of an exploratory committee on enrichment programs and made her the School District’s first cultural education director, moves that led to youth art exhibits, cultural education performances, drama clubs, artists in residence, poetry workshops, strings programs and diverse after-school art classes that continue to inspire students today.

Ennes’ contributions to the arts in the community have led to her selection as the Anacortes Arts Festival’s 2008 Anacortes Patron of the Arts.