Two longtime educators have encouraged creativity and instilled confidence in countless students in the community through the arts, said a press release from the Darlington Arts Center.

On April 17, Diana Stevenson and Hattie Weselyk, well known to families of creative children throughout Garnet Valley, will be honored at the annual Arts Salute to Spring fundraiser. Stevenson will receive the Arts Service Award and Weselyk will receive the Teaching Artist Excellence Award.

Stevenson has taught visual arts at Garnet Valley High School for many years. During her time she has taught thousands of students the fundamental skills of an artist while channeling the arts in a positive way, the release said.

“Diana has the perfect mix of passion for both art and her students. She is a tireless advocate, instructor, and mentor who exemplifies the very best in art education. She is the best!” Garnet Valley School District Superintendent Marc Bertrando in the release.

In addition to teaching, she is co-liaison of the Garnet Valley Art Department, contributes to the statewide-recognized art curriculum, and is a sponsor of the murals club.

“All who know Diana are inspired by her passion for the arts and the dedication that goes into bringing that joy to others” Claudia Eckel, a fellow visual arts teacher at GVHS, said in the release.

Hattie Weselyk has been teaching Garnet Valley dancers at Darlington for over 15 years, before the center moved to Shavertown Road in 2002. She has instructed students of every age and skill level - from the littlest ballerinas in Tiny Tutus all the way up to the most senior dancers in Advanced Ballet/Pointe and beyond. She is well-loved for her creative and innovative, yet traditionally disciplined, approach to her classes and Darlington Dance Company, which she led for over five years, the release said.

“Hattie’s passion for dance shines through each one of her students. Dancers finish her classes with great artistic and personal growth. We are so lucky to have her!” Susan Nicodemus Quinn, Darlington’s executive director, said in the release.

Weselyk has studied at the School of American Ballet, at the Juilliard School of Performing Arts, and was formerly the principal dancer with the Brandywine Ballet Company, the release said.

Arts Salute to Spring is Darlington Arts Center’s only fundraiser of the year and it’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the arts, network with other Garnet Valley families, and honor the great educators in the community. The event will be held on Sunday, April 17, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Penn Oaks Golf Club. In addition to highlighting the honorees, the event will feature a performance by Brandywine Jazz and R&B, wine and hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, performances by Darlington students and much more.

To purchase tickets or to make a donation in honor of Stevenson and Weselyk, visit www.darlingtonarts.org/ASTS.