Each year Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) honors special individuals who are actively involved in promoting and enhancing the visual, performing and literary arts in our community through leadership, support and advocacy.  Nominations are solicited from the community at large and the awards are presented at DAAC’s Annual Arts Awards Gala. This year the Annual Arts Awards was heldon Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 5:00 pm at the Rio Grande Theatre.

The 2010 Award Winners are:

THE PAPEN FAMILY AWARD – Diana Seward

In the history of the Papen Family Award, the most prestigious of all the annual Dona Ana Arts Council awards, the recipients have, for the most part, been arts leaders in the community. Occasionally, however, the Arts Council sits up and says, “WOW, here is one of our own team members who has given their all.” Therefore, DAAC is delighted to honor our immediate Past President, Diana Seward as this year’s recipient of the Papen Family Award.

Diana joined the Board of Directors in June of 2004 and will have served two terms this year. She has been on the Executive Board acting as both Treasurer and President, as well as playing a huge role on the Finance Committee and the Rio Grande Theatre Committee. During her tenure, DAAC has experienced much change, most notably the two million dollar renovation of the Rio Grande Theatre. She stayed the course as the staff and Board transformed themselves into handling all the programming of an Arts Council, and then added managing a 425 seat historic theatre. The challenges were many and often onerous, but she steered the Council to safe ground, always calm, always reassuring and also with a smile and a cheerful can do attitude. Diana believes her greatest achievement has been navigating through the financial and structural changes. But she says the most exciting was to be able to look from her office across the street to the theatre.

The award is sponsored by Cutter Gallery. Past recipients of the Papen Family Award include: Irene Oliver Lewis (2001), Judith Finch (2002), Ruth Cantrell (2003), Jack Ward (2004), Keith Wilson (2005), Bishop Ricardo Ramirez (2006), Rosemary McLoughlin (2007), Jo-an Smith (2008) and Dr. Greg Fant (2009).

 

THE DEBI TRUE ROUNDS NEWCOMERS AWARD – Mari Blacker

This award is sponsored by Stan Rounds and recognizes leadership and support of the arts by an individual (or group) that has lived in Doña Ana County for less than five years. Mari moved to Las Cruces four years ago and has already made a name for herself with her work with children, teaching art at three elementary schools, Hermosa Heights, Valley View and Jornada. As a professional, successful artist in her own right, Mari recognizes the benefits of the arts to students’ development, and contributes willingly and voluntarily in any way she can. She has served as Vice President of Art Forms, and is a member of the Las Cruces Potters Guild, who sponsors the annual Empty Bowls event. Mari also volunteers as Docent, Las Cruces Museum System.

The Newcomers Award was recently named after Debi True Rounds, a DAAC Board member who passed away last year and who exemplified the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers who have relocated to this area. Past recipients include: Lonnie Klein (2001), Alice Peden (2002), Sylvia Gibson Bowers (2003), Tom Smith (2004), Laurel Weathersbee (2005), Lucilene de Geus & Paco Antonio (2006), Ouida Touchón (2007), Cheryl & Brian Fallstead (2008), and Lanova Sheets (2009).

THE ARTS IN EDUCATION AWARD – Oscar Butler

Dr. Oscar Butler has been awarded this year’s Arts in Education Award, sponsored by the C.B. Smith family. Having just recently celebrated his 93^rd birthday, Dr. Butler has dedicated his life to the arts through music and education. A transplant from Iowa where he had established his career as a conductor, choir director and Teachers Union President, Dr. Butler moved his family to Las Cruces fifty-four years ago to take a position at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now NMSU. He retired as professor emeritus in 1980 but remains active with the New Horizons Symphony Orchestra.

Past Arts in Education Award recipients include: Terry Alvarez (2001), Leslie Kowalski (2002), Constance Hasapopoulos Suter (2003), Raul Dorn (2004), Debra Knapp (2005), Diane Schutz (2006), Laurie Norman (2007), Lesli Zerr (2008), and Corina Gabaldon (2009).

THE 2010 COMMUNITY ARTS AWARD – Jaki & David McCollum (Las Cruces bulletin) and Mike Groves

Receiving the 2010 Community Arts Award for a Business is The Las Cruces Bulletin/David and Jaki McCollum. This award distinguishes those, who, by possessing the highest standards of motivation, service and by example have made a significant impact on the cultural fabric of our community.

First founded in1969 by local resident Ken Dalstrom, The Las Cruces Bulletin was brought back to the community by Jaki and David McCollum in 2003, who purchased it from an Austin-based company. They have developed it into a 20,000-circulation weekly community newspaper serving the greater Las Cruces area. All feature content and news photography is produced locally. The Las Cruces Bulletin has become one of the most widely-read and relevant news sources in Southern New Mexico.

Mike Groves is the recipient of the 2010 Community Arts Award for an Individual.  Mike has lived in Las Cruces for more than 57 years. As a professional photographer, he is best known for his panoramic images, especially the Organ Mountains, White Sands and the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Mike’s work can be found on permanent display in many businesses in the community and he is the on-going photographer for several non-profit organizations in Las Cruces.

This award is sponsored by NM Cardiac Care. Past recipients of the Community Arts Award include:  Kevin & Michelle Self (2001), Jose Tena (2002), Bob Diven (2003), Dr. Jerry Ann Alt (2004), Ceil & Peter Herman (2005), Jim Billings (2006), and John Pleasant, Joseph Sylvan and Barbara Toth (2007), and The Border Book Festival/The Cultural Center of Mesilla (2008), Larry Chandler (Individual 2009), and Roy van der Aa and Robin Baxa (Business, 2009).

THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES AWARD – Las Esperanzas

Las Esperanzas win the Art in Public Places Award. This award, sponsored by Studio D Architects, recognizes an individual or group who has created or placed art on permanent public view in Doña Ana County that exemplifies the highest standards and commitment to art in public places.

Las Esperanzas, Inc is an all-volunteer organization founded by Consuelo Lerma in 1999 to preserve the Mesquite Historic District and Original Town Site neighborhood of Las Cruces. Their efforts encompass both the practical and artistic revitalization of the neighborhood. Their projects include the Jardin de Mesquite gateway, designed by artist Ken Wolverton and, in development, three more gateways being designed by artist Glen Schwaiger. Las Esperanzas has also been designated to complete the legacy project for the 2010 Statehood Centennial Wall behind the new City Hall. They have been instrumental in adding artistic historic signage throughout the entire district and new retro style street lights featuring historic medallions designed by Olivia Lerma McDonald. The beautification of this district has created a renewed sense of pride and ownership to residents and enormous appreciation from visitors.

Previous recipients of this award are the City of Las Cruces & the NM Department of Transportation & Highways (2003), Tracy Jamison (2004), Zandra Santanova (2005), Ken Barrick (2006), Jackie Clark (2007), Anthony Pennock (2008), and Glenn Schwaiger (2009).

THE EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE ARTS AWARD – Councillor Miguel Silva

Councillor Miguel Silva is the recipient of the Excellence in Public Service to the Arts Award. Elected in 2007, Miguel serves District One which is the heart of the City and where the Rio Grande Theatre is located. Councillor Silva is highly visible at the many community events that take place in his district, as he always makes time to show his support. Projects he has taken on since attaining office include implementing a curb side recycling program, improving conditions at the animal shelter facility and implementing a police auditor program. He serves on the South Central Sold Waste District and the Animal Services Center of Mesilla Valley as well as working with Las Esperanzas, Downtown Las Cruces and the Doña Ana Arts Council on volunteer projects. Downtown Las Cruces recently awarded him the Henry Gustafson Award for community service.

This award recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals or government organizations for their contribution in the arts. The award is open to federal, state and local government. The Excellence in Public Service Award is sponsored by Steve Newby Architects. Created in 2009, this award has only one previous winner, Will Ticknor (2009).