23 Finalists Named For 2019 Governor's Arts Awards

Twenty-three finalists from communities around the state have been selected in seven categories for 2019 Governor's Arts Awards, which will be presented at the 38thannual Governor's Arts Awards Dinner and Celebration on Thursday, March 7 at the Renaissance Downtown Phoenix, 100 N. 1st Street.

Finalists were announced at a special Nominees Reception on Feb. 8 at the newly renovated Park Central. Also announced at the event were the 2019 Philanthropy Honorees, Susan and Bill Ahearn of Phoenix and Louise and James Glasser of Tucson.

Fifty-nine nominations were submitted for consideration by three volunteer selection panels. Awards are based on the following criteria: significance of the contributions and achievements of the nominee, range of individuals or groups served by the contributions of the nominee and length and degree to which the nominee is dedicated to the arts.

Finalists in each category are:

• Artist: Craig Bohmler, Scottsdale; Julia Chacon, Inspiracion Flamenca, Phoenix; Bobb Cooper, Valley Youth Theatre, Phoenix.

• Arts in Education, Individual: Edith Banks, Scottsdale; Erica Herman, Casa Grande; Tate Rich, Bisbee.

• Arts in Education, Organization or School: Act One, Phoenix; Arts for All, Inc., Tucson; SOUNDS Academy, Phoenix.

• Business, Large: Desert Financial Credit Union, Phoenix; Nationwide, Scottsdale; The Storytellers Project - Phoenix and Tucson.

• Business, Small: Benner-Nawman, Inc., Wickenburg; Lisa Sette Gallery, Phoenix; Manley Films and Media, Phoenix.

• Community: City of Yuma; Littlewood Fine Art & Community Co-Op, Yuma; Phoenix Center for the Arts; PSA Art Awakenings, Phoenix.

• Individual: Hope Ozer, Paradise Valley;Michael Fenlason, Tucson; Vincent VanVleet, Phoenix.

The Nominees Reception also featured the unveiling of the official 2019 Governor's Arts Awards artwork, Desert Beauty, a watercolor painting by Mesa Community College student Shachi Kale.

The Governor's Arts Awards are presented by Arizona Citizens for the Arts in partnership with the Office of the Governor. Since 1981, more than 200 distinguished artists, individuals, cultural organizations, educators, businesses and philanthropists have received Governor's Arts Awards.

For more information, visit www.azcitizensforthearts.org.

Individual tickets to the event are $xx. Table sponsorships begin at $xxx. The event begins at 5 p.m. with the Pre-Awards Cocktail Reception, following by dinner and awards from 6:30- 8 p.m. For information, visit www.azcitizensforthearts.org/governors-arts-awards.