The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) is accepting nominations for its 2017 Community Achievement in the Arts Awards.

The awards, established more than 20 years ago, recognize individuals, volunteers, businesses and non-profit organizations that have enriched lives in Southside Virginia through their selfless contributions to the arts, according to an LCVA press release.

The 2017 award recipients will be celebrated at the LCVA on Saturday, May 6, from 6-9 p.m.

“Nominees are evaluated based on the community impact of their contributions to the visual, performing or literary arts and may include activities such arts education and advocacy, youth/adult services, volunteering, program development, arts festivals and events and mentoring,” officials said in the release.

“When I first visited Farmville three years ago, I was very impressed by our community’s deep love of the arts. The Community Achievement in the Arts Awards are just one of the many ways we can celebrate the individuals and organizations that have inspired and supported that appreciation,” said LCVA Executive Director Rachel Talent Ivers.

Marianne Dennison, a past award recipient, described what being recognized by the Community Achievement in the Arts program meant to her. “(It) was very gratifying to me. Before retiring, I didn’t have time for art or supporting community art. Since then, art has become my focus. I make art and have volunteered in art groups for many years. I was surprised and delighted to be recognized for my efforts by the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts.”

The nomination period extends through Feb. 1. Details and nomination forms are available on the LCVA website, through Central Virginia Artists and at the following locations: Prince Edward County Public Library, J Fergeson Gallery, Red Door 104, Vellie’s Boutique, Mainly Clay, Uptown Coffee Café, Hampden-Sydney’s Atkinson Museum and the LCVA.