Anita Zucker to get mentor award

Charleston philanthropist Anita Zucker has been named the inaugural recipient of the Summey Barkley Rucker Medallion, an award for mentoring young artists.

The Zucker Family Endowment/Inter- Tech Group is one of the sponsors of the nonprofit South of Broadway Theatre Company's arts residency program for aspiring Lowcountry artists ages 14 to 19.

Since 2005, area musicians, actors, dancers and theater technicians who audition successfully for the program travel to New York to study with mentors while residing at The Juilliard School. Fourteen area students will make this year's trip June 5 through July 2.

"I welcome this special honor as a tribute to the work of parents and schools in nurturing the talents of young people and as a mother of three children with four grandchildren," said Zucker, CEO of InterTech Group.

The medallion is named for North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts Founding Chair Nella G. Bark- ley and Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker. The award will be presented May 9 at a gala in the Fire Museum in North Charleston.