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The Bloomington Area Arts Council annually recognizes individuals, business and organizations that directly influence and contribute to the cultural enrichment of life in Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe and Owen Counties through the visual, literary and performing arts.
A Selection Committee of 30 individuals from the five-county region chooses the award recipients. 2007 Award WinnersThe 2008 Arts Leadership Awards will be presented at the Awards Luncheon held at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 from 11:30am to 1pm.
Living Treasure
Award:
Recognizes an individual artist for lifetime achievement in visual, literary or performing arts. (2004: David Baker; 2005: Rudy Pozzatti; 2006: Albert Cobine)
Dr.
Charles H. Webb, Jr. retired
from the faculty of Indiana University on July 1, 1997, having served
as Dean
of the School of Music for 24 years. During
his
tenure as Dean, the IU School of Music was ranked number one in
quality
in three independent national surveys. That
year, he was also named an honorary member of the
Alliance of
Distinguished and Titled Professors of Indiana University.
With a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University, he was appointed conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir in 1967. Webb has conducted the Choir and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in many choral works including Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. In 1969, he directed the premiere of Dave Brubeck's The Light in the Wilderness. In 1978, he prepared the chorus for Berlioz Requiem performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Webb was selected for the 1970 edition of Outstanding Educators in America and is listed in Who's Who in America and Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. In 1976, Governor Bowen appointed him to the Indiana Arts Commission for two four-year terms.
In 1980, Webb received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Southern Methodist University. In 1983, he was named a member of the prestigious Indiana Academy. He has also served as a judge for the Liszt-Bartok Competition in Hungary, the Busoni Competition in Italy, and the Munich Competition, as well as the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris and the Carl Flesch Competition in London.
Dr. Webb was recipient of the Thomas Hart Benton Medal from Indiana University in June of 1987. He received the President's Medal in December, 2000 and received three "Sagamore of the Wabash" awards from Governors Bowen, Orr, and O'Bannon. In 2004, he was named a "Living Legend" of the State of Indiana by the Indiana Historical Society and was appointed to the "Committee to Advise the Secretary of State on Cultural Diplomacy" by, then Secretary of State, Colin Powell. He received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University in June 2005.
Dr. Webb is the chairman of the Board of Advisors of International Music Festivals, Inc., and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the recommendation board for the Avery Fisher Prize, a director of the Busoni Foundation, member of the National Advisory Board of the American Guild of Organists. He has also played a significant role in the music program at the First United Methodist Church in Bloomington by conducting the chancel choir and serving as the church's organist for 47 years.
Charles
H. Webb, Jr.
Recognizes an individual artist for lifetime achievement in visual, literary or performing arts. (2004: David Baker; 2005: Rudy Pozzatti; 2006: Albert Cobine)
Dr.
Charles H. Webb, Jr. retired
from the faculty of Indiana University on July 1, 1997, having served
as Dean
of the School of Music for 24 years. During
his
tenure as Dean, the IU School of Music was ranked number one in
quality
in three independent national surveys. That
year, he was also named an honorary member of the
Alliance of
Distinguished and Titled Professors of Indiana University.
With a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University, he was appointed conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir in 1967. Webb has conducted the Choir and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in many choral works including Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. In 1969, he directed the premiere of Dave Brubeck's The Light in the Wilderness. In 1978, he prepared the chorus for Berlioz Requiem performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Webb was selected for the 1970 edition of Outstanding Educators in America and is listed in Who's Who in America and Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. In 1976, Governor Bowen appointed him to the Indiana Arts Commission for two four-year terms.
In 1980, Webb received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Southern Methodist University. In 1983, he was named a member of the prestigious Indiana Academy. He has also served as a judge for the Liszt-Bartok Competition in Hungary, the Busoni Competition in Italy, and the Munich Competition, as well as the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris and the Carl Flesch Competition in London.
Dr. Webb was recipient of the Thomas Hart Benton Medal from Indiana University in June of 1987. He received the President's Medal in December, 2000 and received three "Sagamore of the Wabash" awards from Governors Bowen, Orr, and O'Bannon. In 2004, he was named a "Living Legend" of the State of Indiana by the Indiana Historical Society and was appointed to the "Committee to Advise the Secretary of State on Cultural Diplomacy" by, then Secretary of State, Colin Powell. He received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University in June 2005.
Dr. Webb is the chairman of the Board of Advisors of International Music Festivals, Inc., and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the recommendation board for the Avery Fisher Prize, a director of the Busoni Foundation, member of the National Advisory Board of the American Guild of Organists. He has also played a significant role in the music program at the First United Methodist Church in Bloomington by conducting the chancel choir and serving as the church's organist for 47 years.
Arts
&
Cultural Organization Award:
T.C. Steele State Historic
Site
(2004: Bloomington Playwrights Project; 2005: Lotus Education and Arts Foundation; 2006: Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts)
The T.C. Steele State Historic Site, developed and inspired by the noted “Hoosier Group” of America Impressionist painter Theodore Clement Steele (1847-1926), has for many years encouraged Southern Indiana residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty that Brown County has to offer. This historic site interprets the life and work of artist T.C. Steele, one of Indiana’s most prominent artists and the first artist to settle into the hills of Brown County. It displays many of Steele’s impressionist landscape, still life and portrait paintings in T.C. Steele’s studio and in his home, the House of the Singing Winds. T.C. Steele made Brown County his home in 1907, so 2007 will also mark the historic site’s centennial year.
The site has been administered by the Indiana Department of Conservation, now the Department of Natural Resources, since 1945. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and received accreditation from the American Association of Museums in 1988. The 92-acre Selma N. Steele State Nature Preserve, which boasts several rare and endangered plant species, was dedicated in 1990.
Over the years, the Friends of T.C. Steele organization has helped with site operations as docents and with building maintenance, garden and grounds maintenance, collections care and special events. Friends’ members work with their community organizations to link site events and community-wide activities such as the Brown County Art Renaissance, the spring Wildflower Foray and the annual PaintOut at the historic site.
T.C. Steele State Historic Site has for several years, offered a sense of art history to Brown County and its surrounding areas. Each year in early September, on the Saturday closest to Steele’s September 11th birth date, staff members and volunteers at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site celebrate the artist’s birthday in style during the Great Outdoor Art Contest. This contest allows artists of all ages to spend the day painting and drawing the beautiful landscape of Brown County, as Steele did. The works that are to be judged must be created the day of the contest, and the winners display their works in Steele’s studio for a month. Other special events, such as the Festival of Flowers PaintOut in May and “Sunday at Home with the Steeles” in June, are held throughout the year. Special exhibits, school programs and other activities will be offered during 2007 to celebrate the site’s centennial.
The T.C. Steele State Historic Site is part of the Indiana State Museum system. As such, it seeks to instill an appreciation for the culture and heritage of Indiana, and adheres to the Indiana State Museum system's core values of learning, service, inclusiveness, enlightened discourse, professionalism, excellence and integrity.
Arts Advocate
Award:
Ted
Jones
Recognizes an individual who has provided service, leadership and/or substantial support to the visual, literary or performing arts. (2004: Peter Jacobi; 2005: Patricia Murphy Pizzo; 2006: Sally Gaskill)
Fifty years after he first set foot in Bloomington, Ted Jones continues to be a dynamic force in the regional
arts scene.
Jones first made his mark as an Indiana University graduate student,
then later back at IU as Chair of Technical Studies in Music in the
School of
Music which he headed until his retirement in 1996. No doubt his
greatest achievements at IU include his project
management for School of Music major building projects, including the
design
and construction of the Musical Arts Center, which was dedicated in
1972. He continues to be sought after far and wide
as a consultant for performing spaces.In the mid-1990s, Jones became a key volunteer force and major advocate behind the restoration of the old Indiana Theatre. During the years of work that transformed the Indiana into the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, Jones donated countless hours and thousands of dollars of technical expertise. He also served as the theatre’s unpaid manager, allowing community arts organizations and artists as well as thousands of audience members to continue to utilize the theatre. Without Jones’ volunteer leadership and active advocacy for a sustainable solution to the theatre’s management and funding challenges, the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre would have closed its doors in January 2001. He has long since relinquished his role as acting theatre manager to the Buskirk-Chumley’s professional staff, but continues on the BCT Management Board of Directors as a founding member.
Jones also served six years on the Bloomington Area Arts Council's Board of Trustees, and at 30 years and counting is one of the Bloomington Chamber Singers charter members.
Business
Award:
tutto bène wine café & more
tutto bène wine café & more
Recognizes a business, regardless of size, for exemplary support of the arts.
(2004: Curry Buick Cadillac GMC Truck Inc.; 2005: Monroe Bank; 2006: Mallor Clendening, Grodner & Bohrer LLP)
Owners Jason Widen, Heather McDougall, Marci Widen and Craig Widen have focused the atmosphere of tutto bene on art, turning the wine bar into a venue showcasing the finest in visual, performing and literary artists, with a special focus on local talent.
tutto bene does much more than simply present art exhibits and performances to the region - The Widens are active advocates and financial supporters of the arts community. Marci Widen currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Bloomington Area Arts Council and her son, Jason Widen, serves on the Lotus Education and Arts Foundation Board. Managers and staff of tutto bene are also active in the arts community – as artists, musicians, actors and arts volunteers.
For the past two years tutto bene has partnered with the City of Bloomington to showcase the entrants and winners of the annual City of Bloomington Tree City Arts Competitions. In addition, tutto bene has become a frequent partner with the Bloomington Playwrights Project, reviving an old tradition through Vaudeville Nouveau performances - evenings filled with music, song, prose and comedy with proceeds benefiting the Bloomington Playwrights Project. tutto bene wine cafe & more has been the venue for literally dozens upon dozens of arts events, performances, exhibits and benefits in the scant two years since the wine café first opened its doors.
Arts in
Education Award:
Joe LaMantia
Recognizes an educator, school corporation, PTO or other entity that directly influences and engages students of any age through the visual, literary or performing arts.
(2004: Sara Irvine; 2005: Janice Stockhouse; 2006: Deniese Smith)
Joe LaMantia’s
most well-known and respected legacy as an arts educator is his artist
in
residence program. This program is a
two-three week project that offers schools and organizations an
opportunity to
develop a work that represents and encourages children and adults to
work
together towards a common goal. Many
of the works from his artist residencies can be seen at schools and
early
childhood development centers throughout Indiana and surrounding states. His works can also be seen at the
Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the
Eiteljorg
Museum in Indianapolis, as well as other local museums throughout
Indiana.
Not only has LaMantia created works of extraordinary community impact, he has also participated in many educational workshops as a guest artist and arts educator including BASIC (Basic Art Support in the Curriculum); the Art Education Department, School of Education at Indiana University; Bloomington Teacher Workshop; and the Summer Institute for Young Audiences of Indiana.
LaMantia also facilitates the creation of public art for the region. One of his most memorable sculptural efforts was for the 2003 Lotus Festival where he developed eight tepee-like sculptures that showcased the festival's venues and its performers. For the past two years, LaMantia has partnered with IU's ArtsWeek to create collaborative community sculptures reflecting the theme of ArtsWeek with the creative assistance of a myriad of arts, social service and community organizations at StoneBelt where he also facilitates StoneBelt client-created art projects.
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Brown County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts.
Beth Mathers takes an innovative approach to the arts - using an arts-based mentoring program to instill confidence and self-esteem in young people. For over 35 years, Beth has been working with children and young adults and has taught special education, first grade and even managed her own preschool. She has helped to create programs for the Education Department at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in addition to teaching classes there.
After moving to Brown County in 1998, Mathers developed a Creative Mentoring Program, enlisting artists and craftspeople in the area to volunteer and spend time with students in the community, teaching and sharing with each student his or her special artistic talent. The CMP matches junior high school students with these volunteer mentor artists and artisans who have included musicians, writers, potters, photographers, weavers, a fashion designer, a web designer, an architect, and a blacksmith. The student meets regularly with his or her mentor every week during the semester. To many, the middle schools years are a formative period that can be emotionally difficult for young people who are dealing with self-esteem and identity issues. The CMP model has become an effective way to build these young people’s confidence and allowed them to explore interests, which in some cases have become career paths in the arts. In addition, to her founding and continued work with the Creative Mentoring Program, Mathers is also part of ArtWorks, a program through Indiana University in which handicapped adult artists are helped and encouraged to pursue art as a career.
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Greene County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts
A native of Madison, Indiana and an alumna of the Indiana University School of Nursing, painter Norma Witherspoon holds no formal degree in the fine arts. She has studied art, however, both at Indiana State University and at Indiana University and continues to freshen her techniques and challenge her abilities by ongoing study with other watercolorists, both locally and in the New England area.
Witherspoon is a member of the Hoosier Art Salon and has been a co-host of the traveling Salon exhibit. She is also a member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana. She continues to paint and her work is regularly exhibited in many locations throughout the region including the Cine in downtown Linton as well as at the Brown County Art Gallery in Nashville.
Her work can be seen in private corporate collections all over the United States, including the Eli Lilly Company in Indianapolis and Camelot Care Centers in Tampa, Florida, Des Plaines, Illinois, and Kinston, Tennessee, as well as in the United Kingdom. Her work is also in permanent public and private collections throughout the region.
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Lawrence County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts (2004: Roger Gales; 2005: Guy Rumsey; 2006: Carol Voris)
Phyllis
Westfall,
of Mitchell, has promoted and excelled in the visual arts as well as in
choral,
piano and organ accompaniment for most of her life. She established a
visual
arts component to Mitchell’s Persimmon Festival and puts in countless
hours to
put the exhibit together, contacting artists to participate, and seeing
that these
artists are recognized for their efforts and contributions. Westfall herself is an accomplished artist;
her works have been exhibited at the John Waldron Arts Center and in
other
regional galleries, and she participates in the annual Paint Out at the
T.C.
Steele State Historic site.
Westfall’s interests are also focused on music. She has directed church and community choirs for decades and is a dedicated music educator, teaching piano and organ to hundreds of Lawrence County students of all ages.
She has been a community arts advocate as well, supporting programs and initiatives that support the local arts scene and promote arts participation in youth.
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Owen County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts
Mark Parmenter is a sculptor and owner of the White River Foundry in Spencer, Indiana. As an artist Parmenter has exhibited his work throughout the Midwest and the South and has completed numerous public sculpture commissions and works for private collectors worldwide. His most recent commission was a 10-foot tall bronze and granite sculpture of actor/comedian Red Skelton, located at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center in Vincennes.
Parmenter's foundry, White River Foundry/Sculpture Atelier is a full service bronze sculpture casting foundry which casts and fabricates bronze sculpture for artists all over the United States. Other services at the foundry include mold making, blacksmithing, both ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, woodworking, stone work, bronze and stone restoration and sculpture project management. Current projects include collaboration on a large sculpture for the new Indianapolis airport terminal with New York artist Ron Baron.
As an instructor Parmenter has served as an artist in residence for universities and art centers throughout the region including the Southern Indiana Arts Center, Indiana University, Ball State University, and Northern Ohio University. He has also served on numerous committees for the Indiana Arts Commission.
Thanks to everyone who made the 2007 Arts Leadership Awards a stunning success!!
Joe LaMantia
Recognizes an educator, school corporation, PTO or other entity that directly influences and engages students of any age through the visual, literary or performing arts.
(2004: Sara Irvine; 2005: Janice Stockhouse; 2006: Deniese Smith)
Joe LaMantia’s
most well-known and respected legacy as an arts educator is his artist
in
residence program. This program is a
two-three week project that offers schools and organizations an
opportunity to
develop a work that represents and encourages children and adults to
work
together towards a common goal. Many
of the works from his artist residencies can be seen at schools and
early
childhood development centers throughout Indiana and surrounding states. His works can also be seen at the
Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the
Eiteljorg
Museum in Indianapolis, as well as other local museums throughout
Indiana. Not only has LaMantia created works of extraordinary community impact, he has also participated in many educational workshops as a guest artist and arts educator including BASIC (Basic Art Support in the Curriculum); the Art Education Department, School of Education at Indiana University; Bloomington Teacher Workshop; and the Summer Institute for Young Audiences of Indiana.
LaMantia also facilitates the creation of public art for the region. One of his most memorable sculptural efforts was for the 2003 Lotus Festival where he developed eight tepee-like sculptures that showcased the festival's venues and its performers. For the past two years, LaMantia has partnered with IU's ArtsWeek to create collaborative community sculptures reflecting the theme of ArtsWeek with the creative assistance of a myriad of arts, social service and community organizations at StoneBelt where he also facilitates StoneBelt client-created art projects.
Brown
County Arts
Award:
Beth Mathers
Beth Mathers
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Brown County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts.
Beth Mathers takes an innovative approach to the arts - using an arts-based mentoring program to instill confidence and self-esteem in young people. For over 35 years, Beth has been working with children and young adults and has taught special education, first grade and even managed her own preschool. She has helped to create programs for the Education Department at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in addition to teaching classes there.
After moving to Brown County in 1998, Mathers developed a Creative Mentoring Program, enlisting artists and craftspeople in the area to volunteer and spend time with students in the community, teaching and sharing with each student his or her special artistic talent. The CMP matches junior high school students with these volunteer mentor artists and artisans who have included musicians, writers, potters, photographers, weavers, a fashion designer, a web designer, an architect, and a blacksmith. The student meets regularly with his or her mentor every week during the semester. To many, the middle schools years are a formative period that can be emotionally difficult for young people who are dealing with self-esteem and identity issues. The CMP model has become an effective way to build these young people’s confidence and allowed them to explore interests, which in some cases have become career paths in the arts. In addition, to her founding and continued work with the Creative Mentoring Program, Mathers is also part of ArtWorks, a program through Indiana University in which handicapped adult artists are helped and encouraged to pursue art as a career.
Greene
County Arts
Award:
Norma Witherspoon
Norma Witherspoon
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Greene County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts
A native of Madison, Indiana and an alumna of the Indiana University School of Nursing, painter Norma Witherspoon holds no formal degree in the fine arts. She has studied art, however, both at Indiana State University and at Indiana University and continues to freshen her techniques and challenge her abilities by ongoing study with other watercolorists, both locally and in the New England area.
Witherspoon is a member of the Hoosier Art Salon and has been a co-host of the traveling Salon exhibit. She is also a member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana. She continues to paint and her work is regularly exhibited in many locations throughout the region including the Cine in downtown Linton as well as at the Brown County Art Gallery in Nashville.
Her work can be seen in private corporate collections all over the United States, including the Eli Lilly Company in Indianapolis and Camelot Care Centers in Tampa, Florida, Des Plaines, Illinois, and Kinston, Tennessee, as well as in the United Kingdom. Her work is also in permanent public and private collections throughout the region.
Lawrence
County Arts
Award:
Phyllis Westfall
Phyllis Westfall
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Lawrence County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts (2004: Roger Gales; 2005: Guy Rumsey; 2006: Carol Voris)
Phyllis
Westfall,
of Mitchell, has promoted and excelled in the visual arts as well as in
choral,
piano and organ accompaniment for most of her life. She established a
visual
arts component to Mitchell’s Persimmon Festival and puts in countless
hours to
put the exhibit together, contacting artists to participate, and seeing
that these
artists are recognized for their efforts and contributions. Westfall herself is an accomplished artist;
her works have been exhibited at the John Waldron Arts Center and in
other
regional galleries, and she participates in the annual Paint Out at the
T.C.
Steele State Historic site. Westfall’s interests are also focused on music. She has directed church and community choirs for decades and is a dedicated music educator, teaching piano and organ to hundreds of Lawrence County students of all ages.
She has been a community arts advocate as well, supporting programs and initiatives that support the local arts scene and promote arts participation in youth.
Owen
County Arts
Award:
Mark Parmenter
Mark Parmenter
Recognizes an individual, business or organization of Owen County for dedication to the visual, literary and/or performing arts
Mark Parmenter is a sculptor and owner of the White River Foundry in Spencer, Indiana. As an artist Parmenter has exhibited his work throughout the Midwest and the South and has completed numerous public sculpture commissions and works for private collectors worldwide. His most recent commission was a 10-foot tall bronze and granite sculpture of actor/comedian Red Skelton, located at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center in Vincennes.
Parmenter's foundry, White River Foundry/Sculpture Atelier is a full service bronze sculpture casting foundry which casts and fabricates bronze sculpture for artists all over the United States. Other services at the foundry include mold making, blacksmithing, both ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, woodworking, stone work, bronze and stone restoration and sculpture project management. Current projects include collaboration on a large sculpture for the new Indianapolis airport terminal with New York artist Ron Baron.
As an instructor Parmenter has served as an artist in residence for universities and art centers throughout the region including the Southern Indiana Arts Center, Indiana University, Ball State University, and Northern Ohio University. He has also served on numerous committees for the Indiana Arts Commission.
Thanks to everyone who made the 2007 Arts Leadership Awards a stunning success!!
Who is eligible to receive an award?
Regional Awards: an individual, business or organization from Brown, Greene, Lawrence and/or Owen Counties. All Other Awards: an individual, business or organizationfrom Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe and/or Owen Counties.
Who can nominate?
Anyone living in Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe or Owen counties.
How many nominations can I make?
You can make as many nominations as you like, in one or more categories. Please submit a separate nomination form for each nomination.
When will the awards be presented?
Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center
Who will make the decisions?
The BAAC will appoint a Selection Committee made up of local and regional arts supporters. Recipients will be notified in advance of the Awards presentation.
What will the award recipients receive?
Each recipient will receive an original work of art, commissioned by the BAAC and especially created by a local artist for the Arts Awards.
For more information please call (812) 334-3100 ext. 109
Bloomington
Area Arts Council |
