Current Media Releases

08/05/2008

For Immediate Release

July 30, 2008

Contact: Eric Wallner, 805-667-3911

2008 Mayor's Arts Awards Announced

Mayor Christy Weir is pleased to announce the five winners of the fourth annual Mayor's Arts Awards. This program was created in 2005 with the following goals:

· Honor major contributions of individuals, organizations and businesses to Ventura through the arts;
· Cultivate greater visibility and understanding of the value of the arts; and
· Build new leadership and develop patrons for the arts.

In June, a three-member selection panel representing philanthropic, educational, and cultural interests was convened to review nominations for this year. Using the criteria established in the awards guidelines, the panel reviewed a total of thirteen nominations in five categories. After deliberations, scoring, and final rankings, one honoree was selected from each of the five categories (a list of the honorees is attached). The panel's recommendations were forwarded to Mayor Weir and approved by her.

A reception to honor the recipients will be held on Thursday, November 13, from 6 to 8 pm at the former Elks Lodge (11 S. Ash St., Ventura). Each honoree will be awarded with a special edition work on paper created by local artist Lis Schwitters entitled Mark of Excellence.

For information contact: Eric Wallner at 805-677-3911 or ewallner@cityofventura.net.

Mayor's Arts Award 2008 Honorees

Arts Patron - Affinity Bank

Even in these troubled financial times, Affinity Bank has never wavered in its support of the arts community, says nominator Mychele Dee, Rubicon Theatre's Development and Community Relations Director: "We always know we can rely on Mike McGuire, David Stepp and the entire Affinity team to support at least one production each year.

They not only give us what we in the arts need most - cash - but [they] also take time out of their busy schedules to attend performances and spread the word about our productions. They truly support the arts by putting their money where their mouth is." Recognizing the economic impact of the arts community and the value in being a good corporate citizen, Affinity Bank supports over 70 local nonprofit organizations including the Ventura Music Festival, Museum of Ventura County, Ventura County Arts Council, Teatro de las Americas, New West Symphony Association, Melody Chorus Society, Alliance for the Arts and the Rubicon Theatre Company.

Artist in the Community - Phil Taggart

According to nominator Dona Wieckowski, "For 25 years, Phil Taggart has been part of the fabric of Ventura's cultural community." An accomplished poet, Phil has been published in numerous journals and anthologies as well being co-editor (with Marsha de la O) of the bi-yearly Askew poetry journal. His book, Opium Wars, was published in 2002 and he was the literary editor of the nationally recognized magazine Art/Life from 1996 to 2005. He has produced numerous readings around the region, mentors many local emerging poets, serves as a Board member of the Ventura County Arts Council and Bell Arts Factory, and a committee member for the Ojai Poetry Festival and the San Buenaventura Artists' Union Gallery. His recent show at the gallery entitled "Rick Sings" featured his poems alongside his photography and video documenting the life of his schizophrenic brother Rick. The exhibit also included a panel discussion on Ventura's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness as well as a benefit reading for the Turning Point Foundation. "Phil is a singular example of what a determined individual can achieve in one community," said artist Jackson Wheeler, "He has won the respect and admiration of others and helped create the critical mass needed for the development of a vital arts community."

Arts Leader - Moses Mora

Nominated by Josh Addison and Paul Lindhard, Moses was born and raised in Ventura's Westside community. A musicologist by nature and interest, he organizes several benefit concerts a year that include and involves the vast landscape of Americana and world music and most recently was a driving force in coordinating "Fandango Americana," a hugely successful music event to benefit Art City.

He has been on the Bell Arts Factory Board of Directors since its inception and also serves on the Board of Arts for Action, a group offering free Brazilian Capoeira lessons for youth. He has been at the cornerstone of organizing Ventura's growing Dia de los Muertos event for many years. Most recently, he and artist MB Hanrahan celebrated the dedication of their Tortilla Flats mural project. A collaborative project that dates back to 1995, the mural helps memorialize the families of the important, early Ventura neighborhood based on oral histories documented by the two. As Bell Arts founder Josh Addison said, "Moses' leadership is crucial to moving forward the development of the community. As an artist in residence, member of our board, events organizer, and as an absolutely reliable and consistently excellent individual, Moses sets the standard."

Arts Educator - Kathleen Noblin, Ventura County Ballet Company

Kathleen Noblin's nomination packet, prepared by Steven Offerman, arrived with twelve separate letters of recommendation from the community. Involved in ballet since the 1970's, Kathie founded the Ballet Academy Ventura in 1992 and subsequently the Ventura County Ballet Company in 1998 with the goal of providing the community with a prestigious professional and pre-professional youth-based ballet company.

Since she began her work, her company has produced thirty full-length ballets in Ventura County, trained 2,400 students and exposed nearly 4,000 school children to the world of dance through her outreach programs. She brings dance assemblies to Ventura and Oxnard schools, exposing its children to professional-level dance performances that many cannot afford. In addition, she works with the teachers to integrate her performances into their arts curriculum, providing them with materials they need to meet State standards. Her no-cost dance instruction program for abused and neglected children, "Therapeutic Dance for Children" has impacted the lives of many. As VCBC Board Member Sandra Laby said, "Kathie is always searching for ways in which she can bring the joy of dance to children despite economic or physical barriers and her outreach to the community is unmatched."

Emerging Artist - Jennifer Livia

As the founder of the Red Brick Gallery, Jennifer Livia has become a major force in supporting the Downtown Cultural District. With a MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and a BFA from UC San Diego, she is a talented photographer, painter and graphic designer. Since opening her thriving gallery just a year and a half ago, she has been an enthusiastic team player working with the Downtown Ventura Organization on the highly successful Fashion Week Ventura, promoting First Fridays gallery hop, and placing art into many local businesses such as Weaver Wines, Jonathan's and Capriccio. Selected for the Pacific Coast Business Times' "Forty Under Forty," Jennifer works tirelessly to promote the arts in downtown and even finds time to teaches art classes for children.

This release is available on the City of Ventura's website at www.cityofventura.net.

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