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Left to right: Charlotte Gullick (Mendocino Coast Writers Conference); Jay Gordon; Spencer Brewer (Ukiah Music Center); and Kevin Wells. |
The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2008 Mendocino County Art Champion Awards: Kevin Wells in the category of Artist; Jay Gordon in the category of Individual Patron; Ukiah Music Center in the category of Business; and the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference/College of the Redwoods in the category of Education. Each year, nominations for the Art Champion awards are received from members of the community. The winners are selected by the Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County and recognized by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors.
The 2008 Mendocino County Art Champion Awards were presented by Chair Jim Wattenburger at the October 28th meeting of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in Ukiah. An official proclamation was issued and the Arts Council of Mendocino County hosted a public reception to honor the winners. See photos from the event.
Covelo musician Kevin Wells was honored for his artistic excellence, his generosity of spirit, and his commitment to sharing his love of music with the youth of his community through instruction and mentorship. Over the years, Kevin has amassed a collection of donated instruments and equipment for the Round Valley Unified School District music program through his connections with famous musicians such as Tom Petty, the Doobie Brothers, and Huey Lewis. “Last year when there was a fire in the school music room,” wrote the community member who nominated Kevin for this award, “Kevin entered the building to save the musical instruments and equipment so that the children would continue to have a music program.” According to Kevin, "children learn self-expression through art, which is important for developing self-esteem." He considers this to be the most essential part of his work with youth.
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2008 Art Champion Kevin Wells |
Willits resident Jay Gordon was honored for supporting the arts financially, as well as through leadership and participation on boards and committees, and for frequent reporting and written articles that promote the arts and culture of Mendocino County. Jay is past-President of the Willits Community Theatre and remains a vigorous supporter of the organization. His appreciation of the arts led him to the Arts Council of Mendocino County, where he serves on the board. He has been a director of the Mendocino County Promotional Alliance and continues to work with them to promote Mendocino County. Jay’s writing and photographs appear on numerous websites and in other publications to promote community services and tourism to Mendocino County. The community member who nominated Jay for this award wrote “Jay Gordon demonstrates every day the attributes of a true champion of the arts and richly deserves this recognition.”
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2008 Art Champion Jay Gordon |
The Ukiah Music Center, under the ownership of Spencer Brewer, was recognized for serving as a catalyst for musical expression and community development through store sponsored events that nurture and showcase Mendocino County’s musical talent, and by supporting local arts organizations and schools with donations of instruments, services, and event sponsorships. A community member who nominated Ukiah Music Center for this award particularly appreciates the Ukiah Music Center’s Acoustic Café series for “offering a place for regional musicians to perform and a place for the community to come to listen, dance and appreciate live music in a fun, funky setting.” |
Spencer Brewer, Owner of the Ukiah Music Center |
| The Mendocino Coast Writers Conference/College of the Redwoods was honored for contributing to the sustained vibrancy of the literary arts in Mendocino County by hosting an annual conference that provides excellent instruction, fosters creative expression, and recognizes literary excellence through a variety of awards and scholarships. For two decades the College has partnered with a dynamic and diverse Conference Committee who contribute over 1,600 hours annually in volunteer service; while the College serves as the fiscal agent, provides in-kind services, and a location for the conference. A recent accomplishment of the program is the Conference Committee’s commitment to invite writers and faculty members who are committed to the theme of writing for social change, and to prepare diverse writers of all ages and backgrounds to be able to write deeply about the issues of our world. |
Charlotte Gullick, Director of the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference |
The 6th Annual Mendocino County Art Champion Awards were presented at on Tuesday, October 28th at the County Board of Supervisors meeting. See photos from the event.
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
2007 Awards
2006 Awards
2005 Awards
2004 Awards
