By Dr. Deborah Bauer
The Seminole Cultural Arts Council is pleased to announce that Alton Williams of Altamonte Springs has been selected as Seminole County’s 2025 Artist of the Year.The Seminole County Artist of the Year Award is a prestigious honor presented annually to an outstanding individual artist who has demonstrated exceptional talent, leadership, and service within the Seminole County arts community. Reserved for residents who are not only accomplished in their artistic specialty but also actively engaged in advancing and promoting the arts, this award recognizes those who have generously contributed their time, creativity, and expertise to enrich the cultural life of the county. Honorees embody the spirit of artistic excellence and community commitment, serving as influential voices who elevate local culture and inspire others through their work. The award’s presentation by the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners underscores its significance. It stands as one of the county’s highest recognitions of artistic impact, honoring individuals whose dedication continues to shape and strengthen the cultural landscape of Seminole County.
Alton Williams describes himself as a philanthropist, author, historian and storyteller. But he's much more than that! Alton Williams was born in Winter Park, Florida and grew up in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He was born at Winter Park Memorial Hospital as a twin, attended the historic Rosenwald Elementary School in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and is a graduate of Lyman High School. He later attended Seminole Community College (now Seminole State College) and focused on Business Administration. He founded his own business, Odds & Ends Cleaning Services, Inc, in Longwood, Florida. He became involved with history and historic preservation c. 1998 when he first led community efforts to revitalize and preserve Evergreen Cemetery in Casselberry, FL. It was a place he knew from childhood. He said it was his hope to "to transform the neglected cemetery into a beautiful place."
A focused and dedicated researcher, Alton has gathered oral and written history, public and private documentation and many photographs to support his first book, Sand Pines – History in a Shoe Box, was published in 2021 to much acclaim. It tells the story of Alton’s birth family and his community. It also chronicles the drive behind the construction of the Brawner House Museum of Historical Facts. The museum and nearby research library are located on the grounds of a cemetery. Aside from the upkeep and preservation of the active cemetery itself and opening the museum, the cemetery’s other major project is the establishment of a research library on African-American history. It is located right next to the museum. The cemetery trustees have already collected over 1,000 books for the research library. While the library will not be a lending library, it will be open to the public. Alton's goal is that he wants the Brawner House Museum of Historical Facts "to be not just a museum. We want it to be where the elementary schoolchildren come and do their book reports or have field trips and learn about our history that was almost lost.” Williams said. “Because a lot of that history is not taught, and we want them to come and learn something that they didn’t know about.”
About the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC):
The Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) is a catalyst for the preservation and celebration of Seminole County’s cultural and historic heritage, supporting the performing, literary, and visual arts and sciences. Founded in 1994, SCAC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to supporting the arts through sponsorships, fundraising events, a grants program, a county-wide arts calendar, and community-based programming. SCAC broadly defines arts and cultural heritage to include fine arts, performing arts, and culinary arts, as well as nontraditional arts and cultural subfields such as literary arts, historical preservation, archaeology, architecture, interior design, fashion, design, and heritage preservation projects. SCAC is proud to partner with a wide variety of artists, businesses, and community members to promote arts engagement throughout Seminole County. As a central hub for cultural communication in Seminole County, SCAC also utilizes social media to act as a clearinghouse for regional arts announcements and opportunities. Our mission is to serve, support, and nurture the cultural and artistic needs of our residents, and to sustain, develop, and advance the cultural life of Seminole County and beyond.
