For Immediate Release: Monday, January 30, 2012
CONTACT: 678-474-1701, info@artworksgwinnett.org
1st ANNUAL ARTWORKS! GWINNETT AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT JAN. 23, 2012 EVENT
Vision Award Presented to Artist Margaret Parsons Andrews
(DULUTH, GA) — Stellar contributions made in the arts in Gwinnett were recognized at “Fusion: 1st Annual ArtWorks! Gwinnett Awards,” which was held on the night of Monday, January 23, 2012 at the Hudgens Center for the Arts and Gwinnett Center’s Performing Arts Center. This inaugural awards event served as a night of recognition for achievements spanning decades as well as the community impact of individuals and organizations from Dec. 1, 2010 through Dec. 1, 2011. A crowd of approximately 250 arts, community and business leaders and arts enthusiasts gathered for the reception and awards show. Event sponsors were ”Arts Patrons” Georgia Power, Primerica Financial Services, and anonymous ArtWorks! Board Members and “Arts Supporters” were Jackson EMC and Anonymous ArtWorks! Board Members.
The full list of winners and honorees, honorable mentions and nominees follows this release. The evening’s highest honor, the “Vision Award,” was presented to artist and arts activist Margaret Parsons Andrews. Surrounded by her children and grandchildren Andrews received the award during a standing ovation to celebrate her lifelong commitment to the arts and her vision for what is now the Hudgens Center. Judy Waters of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and Teresa Osborn of the Hudgens Center presented the “Vision Award” certificate and a leaf pendant as they announced that a tree would be planted this spring in the Hudgens Center sculpture garden in Ms. Andrews’s honor. Ms. Andrews and daughter Kathy Fincher (also an artist) made brief remarks. Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Cynthia Sutt, Ann Parsons Odum and Barbara Howard also spoke. Upon winning the Arts Educator category award Robert Andrews of Gwinnett County Schools was surprised with special presentation of a $2,000 voucher for art supplies donated by DecoArt, Inc. for use in local schools at his discretion. Corporate involvement in the arts was acknowledged with five “Corporate Arts Citizen Awards” that were given to: Karen Fine Saltiel of Primerica Financial Services and the Primerica Foundation (individual category); Theresa Bullock of Metro Waterproofing, Inc. (individual category); Chocolate Perks (small business category); Gwinnett Daily Post (mid-side business category) and Primerica Foundation (big business category). For more information about the awards, please email info@artworksgwinnett.org.
“The inaugural ArtWorks! Gwinnett awards showed the strength and diversity of Gwinnett’s arts community through what was shared on stage by performers, presenters and winners and through the behind-the-scenes work of tireless, passionate volunteers,” said ArtWorks! Gwinnett Executive Director Sally Corbett. “The process of creating this arts celebration had a galvanizing effect for many participants…It is already inspiring future collaborations and a greater awareness of the scope of Gwinnett’s arts assets.”
In addition to the sponsors, a tremendous number of individuals and businesses provided in-kind support and discount services to make the event possible. Highlights of the night were the performers who generously shared their talents in support of this fundraiser and arts celebration. In keeping with the evening’s theme of “Fusion,” a mostly Gwinnett-based roster represented a diverse mix of artistic genres and disciplines. The night kicked off with the Dan Coy Trio featuring jazz guitarist Dan Coy with drummer, composer and recording artist Justin Chesarek and recent Julliard graduate and Andrea Demarcus on upright bass. As the crowd entered the Performing Arts Center the mood was set by the lively “Rhythm of Life” pop and world gathering music performed by Eatonton, GA multi-instrumentalist and DJ Ernest Rogers. The Malaysian Association of Georgia (MAG) Malaysian dance group led by Jennifer Lee took the stage next to present a traditional court dance. The master of ceremonies was Buford’s own dynamic Vince “The Voice” Bailey of Vince Bailey Productions. Duluth-based Zephyr Instrumental, a new music orchestra led by Kerry Fetter performed their original works “Elements – Air, Water, Fire & Earth” and “Vision” (from Americas Suite). Serving as stage manager was Kelley Cody-Grimm of OTC Comedy Troupe, Duluth. Her husband, poet Max Grimm of Duluth, captivated the crowd as he presented a dramatic reading of his “When Leonardo Sat on the Hill.” A new work by Suwanee Performing Arts choreographers Melissa Dittmar Joy and Sarah Stokes and dancer Christina Leamon that was created just for “Fusion” was performed to the sounds of “Fire” by Zephyr.
The award presenters included ArtWorks! board members and local notables. Herman Pennamon, a musician and Georgia Power representative presented the “Artist” award. Other presenters included Lisa Cremin, Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund; Charlotte Nash, Gwinnett County Chairman; Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce; Tina Lilly, Georgia Council for the Arts; Lois Richardson, Georgia Gwinnett College and more. Winners were presented with certificates and glass art from the Hudgens Center’s shop, Gwinnett glass artist Cord Hicklin or Matt Janke of Janke Gallery.
TVGwinnett recorded the event for a future ArtWorks! Gwinnett television program. An air date will soon be announced for what promises to be the first in a quarterly series of shows.
In-kind support provided by the following organizations and individuals helped make the event a success: Proof of the Pudding (especially Larry Larsen and Libby MacConaugha); Hudgens Center; Gwinnett Center’s Performing Arts Center; Partnership Gwinnett; Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce; Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau; Accent South Media, Inc.; Mighty 8th Media, Inc.; Synergy in Silk Floral Designs (Sharon Norris); Enrichment Photography (Richard Jackson); Art of Living Gallery of FYI Duluth (Stacie Stamper); Marilyn Suriani Photography; Andersen Tate & Carr P.C.; Rocket IT; Mike McClellan of Juss Playin Action Sport; the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and photographer Jenny Heuer.
As patrons strolled the Hudgens Center’s galleries for visual delights others enjoyed culinary delights generously provided by restaurant partners, including: Chocolate Perks of Duluth, Ippolito’s of Suwanee, Olde Towne Tavern of Suwanee, Purple Rain of Gwinnett Place in Duluth, Taco Mac of Suwanee, Trattoria 141 of Johns Creek, Park Café of Duluth, Athens Kouzzina of Lawrenceville , Cakes by Shupan of Lawrenceville, Gimme Some Suga Bakery Bar of Suwanee, Le Cordon Blue College of Culinary Arts in Tucker and Mellow Mushroom of Suwanee.
A fine arts-focused raffle featured Gwinnett artists, including the work of jewelry designer Barbara McGuire, mixed media artist Rosa Rosae and painters LaTrecia Raffety, Vickie Johnson and Jason Kopydlowski (Jay Scott Studios). The “Arts and Eats Silent Auction” had fun pairings donated by Northeast Atlanta Ballet, McCray’s Tavern on the Square in Lawrenceville, Marlow’s Tavern in Duluth, Hudgens Center, Steverinos in Duluth, New Dawn Theater in Duluth, Dominick’s in Lawrenceville and the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre.
ArtWorks! Board of Doers and Executive Director organized the event with the Host Committee: Adrienne Saputo, Alison Starnes, Ashleigh James, Barbara Shepard, Bebe Rogers, Eric Rader, Holley Calmes, Jennifer H. Stephens, Jennifer Hendrickson, Jessica Peet, Julia Fenton, Keisha Cameron, Kelley Cody-Grimm, Kerry Fetter, Lisa A. Wright, Marilyn Suriani, Marsha Bomar, Pam Ledbetter, Patty Etherton, Ratna Agharkar, Regina Vella, Stamper Stacie, Toni Shrewsbury, William Smith and all aformentioned performers and restaurant partners. The selection committee, which was comprised of six greater Gwinnett community members representing a wide variety of industries, reviewed more than fifty nominations received through an open, public call for nominations.
NEXT UP – STUDENT AWARDS NOMINATIONS CLOSE FEB. 13, 2012
Following on the heels of a successful awards program for professionals, nominations are being accepted now through 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 13, 2012 for a separate awards program for exceptional student achievement in kindergarten through higher education. For information about the student awards please visit http://artworksgwinnett.org.
####
1ST
ANNUAL ARTWORKS! GWINNETT AWARDS
Congratulations to all Nominees, Winners & Honorees!
SECTION 1: COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS
For Time Period of Dec. 1, 2010 – Dec. 1, 2011
Artist (working artist in any discipline)
Winner: Vickie Johnson, visual artist
Honorable mention: Latifah Shakir, visual artist
Other nominees: Ashley Jones, actress; Brandon McCormick, filmmaker; Chuck Mason, actor; John Laszlo, actor; Lee Bivins, visual artist; Mavis Stevens, visual artist; Max K. Grimm, poet; Theresa Kelly, actress; Vernon Smith, visual artist
Arts Educator (K-Higher Ed)
Winner: Robert Andrews, Gwinnett County Schools
Honorable mention: Debi West, North Gwinnett High School
Other nominees: David Cook, Georgia Gwinnett College; Heidi Creed, Glenn C. Jones Middle School; Kay Fairchild, Lakeside High School & Pope High School & Emory University; Marie Thomas, Brookwood High School; Marissa Yurko, W.C. Britt Elementary School
Arts Ensemble or Collective (non-profit arts ensemble or collective)
Winner: The OTC Comedy Troupe
Honorable mention: New Dawn Theater Company
Other nominees: Northeast Atlanta Ballet
Arts Leader (individual in non-profit arts)
Winner: Teresa Osborn, Executive Director, Hudgens Center for the Arts
Honorable mention: Denise Brinson, Economic & Community Development Manager, City of Suwanee, Suwanee Public Art Committee & SculpTour
Other nominees: Ann-Carol Pence, Associate Producer, Aurora Theatre; Anthony Rodriguez, Producing Artistic Director, Aurora Theatre; Jennifer Gordon, Northeast Atlanta Ballet; Mark Knott, Owner, Suwanee Clayworks Studio & Visual Art Instructor, Creative Enterprises; Sherry Ingbritsen, Artistic Director & Board President, New Dawn Theater Company; Vernon Smith, Visual Art Instructor & Ceramics Studio Manager, Hudgens Center for the Arts
Arts Presenter (non-profit organization presenting arts of any discipline)
Winner: Aurora Theatre
Honorable mention: Gwinnett Ballet Theatre
Other nominees: Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center; New Dawn Theater Company; Suwanee Performing Arts
Creative Business (commercial, for-profit creative enterprise)
Winner: Accent South Media
Honorable mention: Mighty 8th Media
Other nominees: Biscardi Creative; Luv for Art; Tree Sound Studios; Zephyr Music, Inc.
Arts Partnership (at least one partner must be an artist or non-profit arts organization)
Winner: Barefoot in the Park and Various Artists and Community Partners
Honorable mention: Hudgens Center for the Arts and Gwinnett County Library
Other nominees: City of Duluth and Duluth Fine Arts League; City of Norcross and Norcross Arts Alliance; Georgia Gwinnett College and Aurora Theatre; Suwanee City Council and Suwanee SculpTour
Community Arts Program (open to schools, festivals, libraries, municipalities, neighborhood and arts associations, economic development programs, non-arts non-profits and Community Improvement Districts)
Two-Way Tie – Winners: Gwinnett Public Libraries Arts Programs and Suwanee SculpTour
Honorable mention: North Gwinnett Arts Association
Other nominees: Barefoot in the Park, Duluth Fine Arts League, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, New Dawn Theatre Camp Program, Norcross Arts Alliance
Section 2: Special Honorees
Corporate Arts Citizen of the Year – Individual (Time Period – Dec. 1, 2010 – Dec. 1, 2011)
Two honorees: Karen Fine Saltiel, Executive Vice President, Primerica Financial Services; President, Primerica Foundation; and Board Member, ArtWorks! Gwinnett
Theresa Bullock, Owner and Corporate Officer, Metro Waterproofing, Inc. and Chair, Aurora Theatre Board
Corporate Arts Citizen of the Year- Corporation (Time Period – Dec. 1, 2010 – Dec. 1, 2011)
Three honorees:
Small Business Category – Chocolate Perks
Mid-size Business Category – Gwinnett Daily Post
Big Business Category – Primerica Foundation
Arts Volunteer of the Year (Time Period – Dec. 1, 2010 – Dec. 1, 2011)
Winner: Holley Calmes
Honorable mention: Charlie Riehm
Other nominees: Cynthia Sutt and Stan Hall
Lifetime Achievement Award – three honorees:
Ann Parsons Odum
Barbara Howard
Cynthia Sutt
Vision Award honoree: Margaret Parsons Andrews
