The Arts Council of Mendocino County announces the 5th Annual Art Champion Awards, as part of the local observance of National Arts and Humanities Month
The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 Mendocino County Art Champion Awards: John Fisher in the category of Artist; Robert Rhoades in the category of Individual Patron; The Willits Nickel and Dime in the category of Business; and the Tree of Life Charter School in the category of Education. Nominations for the Art Champion awards were received from members of the community and the winners were selected by the Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County.
| Fort Bragg artist John Fisher is being honored for his artistic excellence and commitment to community. During the Summer of 2007, Fisher worked nearly every day in full view of the public on the grounds of the Mendocino Art Center creating a monumental sculpture from a ten-ton block of limestone. By carving on-site, Fisher provided the public with a rare chance to see the creative process at play. He greeted everyone who stopped by the work site with a friendly hello, and regularly engaged in educational and philosophical discussions about carving, marble, art history, and Italy (where he lived for 20 years) and its quarries. A community member who nominated Fisher for this award described her experience as “truly inspired and grateful for not only the beautiful sculpture and John’s artistic vision, but his generosity of spirit.” Fisher will donate one half of the proceeds of the sale of his sculpture to the Mendocino Art Center’s Building Renovation Project. |
John Fisher
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Mendocino resident Robert Rhoades is being honored for his many years as an arts educator, an artist, and avid supporter of community arts. Rhoades, Professor of Art at College of the Redwoods, was nominated for this award by his students and fellow artists. Rhoades was described as “always learning and challenging himself and passing that knowledge, curiosity and challenge onto his students.” In order to encourage and support the talents of emerging artists, Rhoades routinely coordinates, promotes, and facilitates student art displays at College of the Redwoods, as well as at local galleries, inns, and wineries. He shows support for his students and fellow artists by attending their art openings and open studio events. The Arts Council is pleased to recognize Robert Rhoades for his dedication to strengthening the local economy and to creating a vital community through his support of the arts. |
Robert Rhoades
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While there is no denying that the arts community in Mendocino County is fortunate to receive generous support from all the media, the Arts Council was especially impressed this year by the Willits Nickel & Dime. Editor/Publisher Eric Hoggatt is being recognized for setting aside a considerable percentage of each edition to promote the arts as a significant part of the community. Hoggatt has focused on arts in education as well as major programs that entertain residents and visitors alike. In addition to the hard copy distribution of 5,000 copies each week, the entire paper is available online every week, along with archived issues for several months. It is read by thousands of people considering travel to Mendocino County. The Willits Nickel & Dime is an amazing resource for the arts in Mendocino County, and the presentation of this award recognizes this ongoing service to Willits and Mendocino County.
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Tree of Life Charter School, a public charter school in Ukiah, is being honored for their art education programs that enhance learning by creating an environment where the arts are infused in the curriculum. Children are exposed to a rich music, visual arts, drama, writing, and dance curriculum. Tree of Life Charter School participated in the “Get Arts in the Schools Program” (GASP) the first year it was introduced. With the current focus of education on test results and the lack of funding for arts in education, the Arts Council commends the Tree of Life Charter School for their continued commitment to ensuring that the arts are an integral part of each child’s education.
The 5th Annual Mendocino County Art Champion Awards were presented on Tuesday, October 23rd at the County Board of Supervisors meeting. The Arts Council hosted a public reception in Conference Room B, nearby the Board of Supervisors chambers, immediately following the proclamation.
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Mendocino County Art Champion awards are annually presented in October to coincide with National Arts and Humanities Month. National Arts and Humanities Month is a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America, dedicated to giving millions of Americans the opportunity to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives and encourage them to begin a lifelong habit of active participation. To learn more about National Arts and Humanities Month, visit the website for Americans for the Arts at www.americansforthearts.org or the website for the California Arts Council at www.cac.ca.gov.
MENDOCINO COUNTY ART CHAMPION AWARD CRITERIA:
BUSINESS CHAMPION FOR THE ARTS
Nominations in this category should demonstrate 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 nominated should not only understand the benefits of the arts to creating vital communities, strengthening the local economies and education, but their contribution should significantly benefit the wider community.
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION FOR THE ARTS
Nominations in this category should demonstrate 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 should not only understand the contributions of the arts to creating vital communities, strengthening the local economies and education, but their contributions should significantly benefit the wider community.
ARTIST CHAMPION
Nominations in this category should demonstrate artistic excellence in their chosen discipline (visual arts, crafts, music, dance, literature, poetry, performance – all arts disciplines should be considered). In addition nominees in this category should demonstrate a commitment to strengthening their community by using their artistic accomplishments to benefit the wider community.
EDUCATION CHAMPION
Nominations in this category can be individuals, organizations or schools for creating exemplary art education programs, that enhance learning through the development of best practices in art education and/or create an environment for outstanding achievement through the arts.
A History of Mendocino County Art Champion Awards
2006 Awards
2005 Awards
2004 Awards
