Announcing the 2006 Mendocino County Art Champion Awards, as sponsored by the Arts Council of Mendocino County

The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2006 Mendocino County Art Champion Awards: Blake More in the category of Artist; David Hance in the category of Individual Patron; The Coast KOZT-FM in the category of Business; and the Mendocino County Office of Education in the category of Education.

In the category of Artist, the Arts Council honors Point Arena artist Blake More. Each year, this award is given to an artist who demonstrates artistic excellence in their chosen discipline. In addition, artists selected for this award demonstrate a commitment to strengthening their community by using their artistic accomplishments to benefit the wider community. Blake is being honored for her demonstrated excellence in the fields of literary, visual, and theater arts, while integrating her art into the daily life of her community and for supporting and inspiring youth participation in the arts.

In the category of Individual Patron, the Arts Council honors Ukiah resident David Hance. Each year, this award is given to an individual who demonstrates significant, regional or county-wide support for the arts. Support can be in the form of grants, underwriting, major sponsorship, in-kind donations, and/or volunteerism. Individuals who are nominated and selected in this category not only understand the contributions of the arts to creating vital communities, strengthening the local economies and education, but their contributions significantly benefit the wider community. David is being honored for his many years of volunteer activity and generous support of artists and arts organizations, for contributing to the vitality and awareness of the arts, and for encouraging an appreciation for the importance of the arts in the wider community. Specifically, the Arts Council would like to recognize David for his work with our organization, Ukiah Players’ Theatre, and the performing group Tin Pan Alley.

In the category of Business, the Arts Council honors The Coast KOZT-FM. Each year, this award is given to a business that demonstrates significant, regional or county-wide support for the arts. Support can be in the form of grants, underwriting, major sponsorship, in-kind donations, and/or volunteer support. Businesses selected for this award not only understand the benefits of the arts in creating vital communities, strengthening the local economies and education, but their contribution significantly benefits the wider community. Tom Yates and Vicki Watts, owners of The Coast KOZT-FM, are being honored for generously providing publicity support to local artists and art events, and for featuring the talents of local musicians during their weekly “Local Licks” radio program.

In the category of Education, the Arts Council honors the Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE). Each year, this award is given to a school or educational association that creates exemplary art education programs, that enhances learning through the development of best practices in art education and/or creates an environment for outstanding achievement through the arts. MCOE is being honored for their vision in creating the “Get Arts in the Schools Program” (GASP) and for their commitment to continue the program with increased funding in the second year. GASP infuses the arts in the core curriculum and involves and exposes school children to quality, educational, curriculum-based artistic experiences by funding artist workshops and live performances in Mendocino County schools during the school year.

The annual Mendocino County Art Champion awards take place during October, National Arts and Humanities Month. This year, National Arts and Humanities Month —a nationally recognized celebration of culture—is focusing on community development and how the arts can bring cultural richness and a better well-being to communities nationwide.

The 4th Annual Mendocino County Art Champion Awards will be presented at 11:30am on Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 at the County Board of Supervisors meeting. The Arts Council will host a public reception in Conference Room B, nearby the Board of Supervisors chambers, immediately following the proclamation. The address for both the meeting and the reception is the County Administration Building, 501 Low Gap Road, Ukiah. Please join the Arts Council on October 17th in recognizing the contributions of these exceptional individuals and organizations.

2005
Artist: Mac and Kate Magruder
Individual Patron:    Creek and Kitty Norris
Business:    The Sea Ranch Properties
Educational:    Mendocino Unified School Enrichment (MUSE)

2004
Artist:  Mildred Norseen Pinkham
Individual Patron:    Skip and Barbara Newell
Business:    The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Educational:     Art Explorers

2003
Artist:  Walter Green
Individual Patron:   Jean Slonecker
Business:    Fetzer Vineyards
Educational:    Willits Charter School

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Board of Supervisors and Arts Council Honor Art Champions of Mendocino County
By Jay Gordon

The Arts Council of Mendocino County recently presented their fourth annual Art Champions awards in a ceremony accompanied by a proclamation from the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. The categories were Artist, Individual Patron, Business, and Education. Champions are nominated by members of the community, and final selections are made by the board of directors of the Arts Council.

Point Arena artist Blake More was honored for impressive work in the fields of literary, visual and theater arts. She is known for promoting art as a party of daily life and is especially appreciated for her success in mentoring the youth of the community. Ukiah resident David Hance was honored in the Individual Patron category for his many years of volunteer activity, particularly with the Arts Council, Ukiah Players Theatre, and the distinguished singing group Tin Pan Alley. The Coast KOZT-FM, owned by Vicky Watts and Tom Yates and based in Fort Bragg, was acknowledged for its long-standing enthusiastic support of artists and arts activities throughout the county. They also feature live concerts by local musicians on their weekly program "Local Licks." Honored in the Education category was the Mendocino County Office of Education. They were recognized for creating – and continuing to support GASP: Get Arts in the Schools Program. They fund artist workshops and live performances to bring all aspects of art into the everyday lives of students in Mendocino County.

In her remarks before the Board of Supervisors Arts Council President Trudy McCreanor said, "While the Arts Council can only recognize the contributions and accomplishments of a few individuals and organizations each year, this is a time to reflect on the breadth of artistic talent and generous support of the arts that make Mendocino County unique, and to recognize and celebrate our rich cultural and artistic life"

To see photos of this event click here