Governor's Arts Awards - Nevada Arts Council

GOVERNOR’S ARTS AWARDS
a program of the Nevada Arts Council and the Office of the Governor
Governor Jim Gibbons, the
Nevada Arts Council, Metro
Arts Council of Southern
Nevada and the City of Las
Vegas welcome you to the
28th Annual Governor's Arts
Awards. Inaugurated in 1979 as
the Decade Awards, the
Governor's Arts Awards became
an annual event the following
year. Through this program, the
Nevada Arts Council and the Office
of the Governor recognize
outstanding and enduring
contributions to Nevada through
artistic achievement and service to
the arts.

JIM GIBBONS
GOVERNOR
March 27, 2008
Dear Friends:
Welcome to the 28th Annual Governor's Arts Awards. I feel privileged to honor
this year's outstanding award recipients, all who symbolize the best of a creative
and engaged citizenry. Individually and collectively, their service to Nevada merits
the highest of public recognition.
Those honored this evening are genuinely dedicated to providing this great state
a rich cultural life. It will continue to take the collective efforts of all of us, whether
it be in the form of advocacy, education, funding or creating art, to ensure that
Nevada continues to be “rich in art.”
Dawn and I congratulate the recipients of the 28th Annual Governor's Arts
Awards - Sally Ahlstedt, Jim Burke, Bill Fain, Las Vegas Little Theatre, Candy and
Senator Mike Schneider, Mike Williams and Martina Young.Many thanks for your
extraordinary and valuable contributions to Nevada.
Best wishes for an enjoyable evening.
Sincerely,
Jim Gibbons
Governor - State of Nevada

28TH ANNUAL
GOVERNOR’S
MARCH 27, 2008
Presented by the Nevada Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural
Affairs, and the Office of the Governor. Co-sponsored by Metro Arts Council of
Southern Nevada and hosted by the City of Las Vegas Leisure Services
Department-Arts & Community Events Division.
PERFORMANCE
The Shirley Chen Dancers
Water Lily Fairies - on a hot summer's day in the water lily pond, water lily fairies
emerge from the water to dance with poetic elegance
WELCOME
Tim Jones
Chair, Nevada Arts Council Board
AWARDS PRESENTATION
Governor Jim Gibbons
State of Nevada

ARTS AWARDS
AWARD RECIPIENTS
L. Martina Young, Reno
Excellence in the Arts
Mike Williams, Fallon
Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts
Jim Burke, Reno
Leadership in Arts Education
Sally Ahlstedt, Henderson
Leadership in the Arts: Individual
Las Vegas Little Theatre, Las Vegas
Leadership in the Arts: Organization
Bill Fain, Virginia City
Patronage in the Arts
Candy and Senator Mike Schneider, Las Vegas
Distinguished Service to the Arts
PERFORMANCE
The Muhammed Shakir Quintet, with guest artist Adelaide Robbins
CLOSING REMARKS
Video Presentations produced by Gwen Clancy and Susan Boskoff with assistance from
Dave Meador, Clark County Public Communications. Table centerpieces provided by
Nevada Alliance for Arts Education.

EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS
L. MARTINA YOUNG
“We are what we repeatedly do,” said Aristotle. “Excellence, then, is not an act
but a habit.” Apply that habit of excellence and hard work, leaven it with
generosity, warmth and artistic integrity and the creation that emerges is
L. Martina Young.
Young came to Nevada 20 years ago with three National Endowment of the Arts
fellowships to her credit and an international reputation in dance and
choreography.As Director of Dance at the University of Nevada, Reno from 1987-
1994,Young added the skills of educator, scholar and advocate to her portfolio.
During her tenure she introduced students to global dance styles as well as the
passion and creativity that informs her every work. She created the
Choreographer's Forum, an ongoing event providing the opportunity for artists
and audiences to explore the creative process, and Dancespeak, Northern
Nevada's first dance publication.
Her body of work - “Grace at River's Edge” (2007),“Cello Dances” (2004, on the
occasion of Young's 50th birthday) and “Amigas” (2003), to name a few - balances
the personal and accessible, providing audiences a profound and enduring
experience.“Her dances are often site specific pieces of and about this place and
their poetry and strength offer an eloquent portrait of the beauty and uniqueness
that is Nevada,” writes Diane Rugg in her nominating letter.
Sharing her love of creative expression, movement and dance, Young has
collaborated with artists of all disciplines, appeared with performing arts groups,
including the Reno Philharmonic, and performed solo on stage. She has inspired
children in Ely's Head Start program, high school and college students in Las Vegas
and Reno, at-risk teenagers, dancers with disabilities and elder theatre companies.
Her passion knows no bounds, and,“This,” concludes Rugg,“is how artistic legacy
is born, nurtured and passed on.”

MIKE WILLIAMS
EXCELLENCE IN FOLK AND TRADITIONAL ARTS
The foremost practitioner of an ancient style of tule duckmaking, Mike Williams
transports viewers back hundreds of years to when another civilization lived in
the Great Basin.
In the late 1990s a deepening respect for his ancestors and the survival arts of the
early Native peoples of northern Nevada led Williams to investigate the tule work
and duck decoy making of his family in Fallon. While visiting the Lovelock Cave
where 2,000-year-old duck decoys had been excavated in the 1920s, Williams, a
Walker River Paiute, connected to the people who created nets, snares and
baskets and their way of living from the tule stalks-otherwise known as bulrushes.
This connection was so deep that he recreated the art of decoy making in the
ancient Lovelock style and dedicated himself to reviving Northern Paiute arts
such as string manufacture, quiver and mat making and other 'tule technologies.'
“The decoys and other items he has produced have been of the highest caliber,
truly works of art,” notes Nevada Anthropology Professor Catherine Fowler, in
her supporting letter. “He takes great pains to use the correct paints and other
substances on his decoys.”
An engaging communicator, Williams generously shares his techniques and
knowledge of the prehistoric Lovelock Culture, teaching traditional arts to family
members, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe children and traveling to Israel as part of
a Native American ministry. His work is on display at the Nevada State Museum,
and now represents Nevada at the National Museum of the American Indian in
Washington,D.C.
“It's my purpose in life to teach this art and pass it on,” says Williams. And, in so
doing, preserves Northern Paiute art and culture for future generations.

JIM BURKE
LEADERSHIP IN ARTS EDUCATION
When nominator Susan Clark called for comments from former students and
colleagues about digital arts educator Jim Burke, she was inundated with emails
and letters filled with accolades. “Most influential teacher,” “highly motivating,”
“intensely passionate,” “one of the nation's most special educators.”
The object of these tributes has been teaching at the Washoe County School
District's Regional Technical Institute since 1990 and at Truckee Meadows
Community College since 2001. Burke's area of expertise encompasses digital
arts, design, design visualization, animation and 3D Design. Given the
interdisciplinary aspect of digital arts, it was only natural that Burke would
become a magnet for students interested in art, architecture, advertising and
design.
The results have been impressive. Consider the fact that more than 175 of Burke's
students have won Regional Scholastic Art Awards at the Nevada Museum of Art.
Or that his Nevada students have consistently placed and won awards at Skills
USA, American Institute of Architects, Scholastic Arts and American Advertising
Federation. Or that one university art professor eagerly awaits Jim Burkeprepared
students; readily identifiable by their ability to grasp concepts, work hard
and deal with the possibilities inherent in art and media.
“The highest compliment that one can pay an art educator,” writes Nevada Art
Professor Howard Rosenberg,“is one I pay to Mr. Burke when I say that this is an
educator who not only 'talks the talk… he walks the walk.'”

SALLY AHLSTEDT
LEADERSHIP IN THE ARTS: INDIVIDUAL
Find a public arts administrator who combines management and business skills
with an aptitude for nurturing new talent and building audiences and chances are
you have found a community cultural leader. Sally Ahlstedt is one of these
individuals and the Las Vegas Valley is stronger for it.
Ahlstedt first came to Las Vegas in 1992 and served as a cultural assistant in Clark
County Parks and Recreation and then as theater manager for the Las Vegas-
Clark County Library District. She juggled numerous tasks while working with
colleagues to insure the development of community theaters across the valley. In
2002 Ahlstedt was appointed Cultural Arts Coordinator for the City of
Henderson's Cultural Arts and Tourism Department. In this position she continues
to promote the arts for community vitality, economic diversification and cultural
tourism. With a focus on the revitalization of downtown Henderson, Ahlstedt
succeeds by combining business modeling and innovative visual, literary and
performing arts programming on- and off-stage at the Henderson Pavilion.
Though her resume bursts at the seams with arts management experience
throughout the country, it is her passion for the arts and her generosity of spirit
that inspires and motivates. “Her unique understanding of the needs and interests
of our very diverse arts community have made her an invaluable asset,” noted
Margaret Trasatti, chair of the Nevada Chamber Symphony.
Describing Ahlstedt as a cultural catalyst, John Nasshan Jr., board member for the
Henderson Symphony Orchestra, couldn't agree more. “Sally has been a great
inspiration to the Las Vegas and Henderson arts communities and has always been
a source of encouragement to theater companies, musical groups and individual
performing artists.”

LAS VEGAS LITTLE THEATRE
LEADERSHIP IN THE ARTS: ORGANIZATION
Founded in 1978 in a converted storefront with a seating capacity of 48, Las Vegas
Little Theatre, today in its 30th season, resides in a 10,000-square foot home with
mainstage and blackbox theaters, ample technical facilities and a subscriber base
of close to 1,000. It's secret to success? LVLT is theatre by the community and
for the community.
In 1984 LVLT lost its storefront location leaving the troupe to find shelter in
publicly operated venues run by the City of Las Vegas, Clark County School
District, UNLV and, crucially, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. It was
during its library residency that the organization began making a name for itself.
As the valley grew and the library reclaimed the space, LVLT was on the move
again. This time the community moved with them. Growing numbers of
professionals, volunteers, actors, businesses and patrons gave their time, expertise
and funding to sustain LVLT. It was a phenomenon that repeated itself several years
later culminating with the company's move into its current space.Through it all,
the troupe continued to stage a breadth of productions ranging from critically
acclaimed plays such as “Equus,” “Master Harold...and the Boys” and “Master
Class” to popular fare such as “Driving Miss Daisy,” “On Golden Pond” and “The
Philadelphia Story.”
LVLT has shown by example that community involvement, a commitment to
educating the next generation of actors and audience and the right combination
of audience-pleasing and challenged works is the recipe for success.

PATRONAGE IN THE ARTS
BILL FAIN
As the long-time proprietor of the Gold Hill Hotel near Virginia City, Bill Fain has
employed the arts to build a business, a culture and a community. John Flanagan,
chairman of the Storey County Commission, noted in his nomination letter,
“Through the generosity of his philanthropic spirit, creativity, financial resources
and community involvement, [this tenaciously successful octogenarian] has
developed a cultural nucleus for the Comstock Historic District.”
Fain started down this path more than 20 years ago by instituting a weekly lecture
series devoted to the history of the Comstock Lode and Nevada, often including
poetry, music, theatre and dance. Using his own contribution of time, effort and
financial resources, Fain ensured its ongoing success.
In 2001, seeing the need for a community theater, Fain founded the Gold Hill
Theatre Troupe. Fain wrote the troupe's first two Comstock-themed plays and
performed them in the hotel after dinner, essentially in the laps of his patrons.
Fain's enterprise quickly attracted community members eager to join.In six years,
100 northern Nevada actors have staged more than 350 performances of 37 plays
and musicals. Not content with indoor venues, Fain launched “Shakespeare on the
Rocks” in 2005. Every summer a major Shakespeare work takes place outdoors
in the gazebo at the Gold Hill Hotel.With each of these endeavors, Fain's vision
of serving the community and its visitors through the arts becomes more
fully realized.
“With the many opportunities he has provided for the community, Bill Fain has
demonstrated a long term, tireless commitment as a patron of the arts,” write
Nevada Shakespeare Company's Cameron Crain and Squeek Steele. “This is a
person that must be recognized.”

CANDY AND
SENATOR MIKE SCHNEIDER
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE ARTS
Candy Schneider has been a 24/7 'hands-on' arts advocate for more than three
decades - as an educator, administrator, trustee and spokesperson.An unassuming
supporter of the arts, Senator Mike Schneider has supported and created
legislation to increase public funding for the arts during his tenure at the Nevada
State Legislature. Both want creative communities, a robust economy and
an unparalleled educational system for Nevada, and see the arts as a key to
this vision.
As a board member for the Nevada Arts Council for 12 years and chair for five
years, Candy epitomized grace in leadership and service, whether advising on
policy development or working side by side with staff at dozens of grant panels.
She served as assistant director in the School-Community Partnership Program
for the Clark County School District, ensuring that students experienced the arts
both in and outside the classroom. Retiring from the school district after 33 years
of service, Candy moved her talents to the newly created position of Director of
Education and Outreach for The Smith Center for Performing Arts in Las Vegas.
She continues to build partnerships, develop model programs and contribute to
her community and state by serving on numerous boards including the Metro Arts
Council of Southern Nevada, Nevada Alliance for Arts Education,and VSA arts of
Nevada, among others.
Representing his Las Vegas district in the Nevada Assembly from 1993 - 1995 and
then in the Senate since 1997, Senator Mike Schneider may be quick to joke that
his association with the arts is culinary in nature, but don't be fooled. He can
explain the impact of the arts on a child's life, illustrate how corporations benefit
from arts-educated employees or state the case for cultural tourism as a practical
economic strategy. During the 2007 legislative session, Senator Schneider
sponsored a bill to increase the Nevada Arts Council's budget to a level of $1 per
citizen to expand programs and grants that serve the cultural needs of
communities statewide. His efforts helped galvanize a grassroots arts advocacy
movement and resulted in an increase to the Arts Council of $425,000 for
the biennium.

THE ARTISTS
THE LAS VEGAS YOUTH ORCHESTRA QUINTET
The Las Vegas Youth Orchestra consists of four separate ensembles, a season of
three concerts and 330 students. Students are admitted by annual audition and
participation in one's school music program is required. The two upper-level
groups (Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic and Las Vegas Youth Symphony) perform
symphonic repertoire as students prepare for entry into collegiate and
professional organizations.The younger groups (the Las Vegas Youth Sinfonia and
the Las Vegas Youth Ensemble) help to develop students into effective orchestral
players, emphasizing the responsibility, commitment and teamwork necessary for
successful performances.
Tonight's performers - Yuhi Kim and Erynn Hill, violins; Omar Shelly, viola;Anthony
Rodriguez, cello, and Vaijayanthi Vaidyanathan, bass - are members of the Las Vegas
Youth Philharmonic. The Youth Philharmonic will tour Europe in June 2008, with
performances in Salzburg,Vienna and Prague.
THE SHIRLEY CHEN DANCERS
Originally from Taiwan, Shirley Chen formed The Shirley Chen Dancers in 1982
and settled in Las Vegas in 1995. With traditional, informal training and formal
training in dance, Chen received degrees from the National Taiwan Academy of Art
and UCLA. Company dancers - Celine Endy, Rong Fu, Alice Kuo, Tiffany Man,
Audrey Meng, Shevaun Valenzuela, Victoria Vuong and Shanel Wu - are adept at
performing and teaching classical court dances, but their passion and emphasis is
on folk dance. Chen and her company educate audiences about Chinese history
and culture, languages and customs through the artistry of dance and stunning
costumes that are handmade by Chinese designers.

THE ARTISTS
THE MUHAMMED SHAKIR QUINTET
The Muhammed Shakir Quintet is comprised of a group of close-knit friends from
the Las Vegas Academy for International Studies Performing and Visual Arts.
Influenced by jazz greats ranging from Max Roach and Jaco Pastorius to Jack
DeJohnette and Wayne Shorter, these five young musicians jam together, take the
same classes, exchanges musical ideas and challenge one another to excel.
This evening Muhammed Shakir, flute; Kyle Henry, tenor saxophone; Darren
Denman, piano; Eric Andrews, bass and Austin Pooley, drums, team up with Avree
Walker and Adelaide Robbins. Performing on the Djembe Drum, Walker is a
student at Legacy High School and a youth worker at the West Las Vegas Arts
Center with extensive studies in dance, acting and music. Robbins' career began
while a student at the renowned High School of Music and Art in Harlem, then at
the Eastman School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. Robbins was
invited to join the Buddy Rich Band at its peak of success and traveled throughout
the county, eventually making Las Vegas her home. Considered one the city's most
versatile and accomplished musicians, Robbins is also a cherished mentor to her
many students.
GWEN CLANCY
An independent filmmaker for 27 years, Gwendolyn Clancy tells the stories of
those who live and work in the Great Basin through her videos and films including
A Cowhand's Song: Crisis on the Range and The Man They Call Will James, narrated by
actor Richard Farnsworth. Her talent at tapping into people's lives has resulted in
grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Nevada Arts Council, Nevada
Humanities and the Gund Foundation,and numerous awards - from the American
Film Festival and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, to name a few. For the past
nine years, first as the public information officer for the Nevada Department of
Cultural Affairs, and now as an independent contractor, Clancy has hosted and
produced a monthly documentary series, Exploring Nevada, which is broadcast
throughout Nevada and parts of California. Clancy has a BA in French from
Wellesley College, Massachusetts and a MA in Communications from University
of Nevada, Reno.

THE ARTISTS
BARBARA AND LARRY DOMSKY
Las Vegas artists Barbara and Larry Domsky were selected through a competitive
review process by the Governor's Arts Awards Committee to create the artwork
presented to this evening's award recipients. In 1992, Barbara and Larry Domsky
combined their artistic and professional efforts to form Domsky Glass Studio,
Design Effects Inc. Concentrating on the medium of glass, the Domskys developed
the technique of 'hot-fusion' that blends hot glass elements into fused glass
sculpture. Their work has been collected internationally and is currently
represented in seven countries.
For the 28th Annual Governor's Arts Awards, the Domskys designed freestanding
glass fusion sculptures representing Nevada's beautiful red rock and clear blue sky.
After the brilliantly colored and dichroic glass was fused, each piece was water-jet
cut into shape and hand polished, The metal base has a ground texture with a
glossy, clear powder coat finish.
28th Annual Governor's Arts Award

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS
Decade Awards—1979
Ennio Bolognini
Alleta Gray
Art Ham Jr.
Robert Laxalt
Ted Puffer
Roy Purcell
Eugina Roberts
Craig Sheppard
Merle Snider
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
1st Annual –1980
Elizabeth Block -
Member,Arts Service
John & Susan Karrasch -
Individual Artists
Francis Warden -
Member, Presenting
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
2nd Annual - 1981
Lucille Bruner -
Arts Education
Helene Fullmer -
Volunteer
Jody Johnston -
Arts Administration
Steve Morris -
Business Support
DeeAnn Ridings -
Arts Administration
Vassili Sulich -
Dance
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3rd Annual - 1982
Jerry Crawford -
Arts Education
Ron Daniels –
Music
John Flanigan -
Business Support
Tom Holder -
Visual Arts
Ed Parsons -
Arts Administration
Kirk Robertson -
Literature
Joan Snyder -
Theatre
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4th Annual – 1983
Virko Baley -
Music
Joanne deLongchamps -
Literature
Robert Dunkerly –
Theatre
Barbara Fox –
Dance
Gerda Hemenway -
Arts Education
Walter McNamara -
Visual Arts
Carol Mousel -
Arts Administration
Leon Nightingale -
Business Support
Maury Soss -
Volunteer
Rolling Thunder -
Folk Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5th Annual – 1984
Yvonne Franchi -
Dance
Kenneth Hanlon -
Arts Education
Vahe Kochayan -
Music
Brian Strom Kral -
Literature
Martha Peterson -
Arts Administration
Ellis Pryce-Jones -
Theatre
Cliff Segerblom -
Visual Arts
Business Support
Warburton Family -
Folk Arts
Thomas R.C.Wilson II -
Volunteer
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
6th Annual – 1985
Margaret Banks –
Dance
William Beeson –
Theatre
Sarah Campsey -
Folk Arts
Betty Clark -
Volunteer
Susan Duer -
Music
Stephen Liu -
Literature
Barbara Long -
Business Support
William Lowman -
Arts Administration
Lamar Marchese -
Volunteer
Robert Morrison -
Visual Arts
Howard Rosenberg -
Arts Education
Charles Vanda -
Distinguished Service
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
7th Annual – 1986
Rita Deanin Abbey -
Visual Arts
Jim Bernardi -
Theatre
Katie Frazer -
Folk Arts
William Laub, Sr./Southwest Gas Corp -
Business
Zel Lowman -
Volunteer
Neldon Mathews -
Arts Education
Waddie Mitchell -
Literature
Sharon Payne -
Arts Administration
Laura Spitzer -
Music
Luisa Triana -
Dance
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS
8th Annual - 1987
Walter Blanton -
Excellence in the Arts
Marjorie Barrick -
Distinguished Service
Patrick Gaffey -
Service to the Arts
Frances Harvey -
Service to the Arts
Rollan & Marilyn Melton -
Service to the Arts
Douglas Peterson -
Excellence in the Arts
Ed Semenza -
Service to the Arts
Bernardo Yanci -
Excellence in the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
9th Annual – 1988
Louise Curran -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Minnie Green Dick -
Excellence in the Arts
First Interstate Bank -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
Nancy C.Houssels -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Yoshi Ishikawa -
Excellence in the Arts
Alice Isenberg -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Michael McCollum -
Excellence in the Arts
Lee Sido -
Excellence in the Arts
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
10th Annual - 1989
Thelma Calhoun -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Centel -
Service to the Arts
Sue R. Clark -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Frank Gagliardi -
Excellence in the Arts
Charles W. Hunsberger -
Service to the Arts
KNPR-FM Public Radio -
Service to the Arts
E. L.Wiegand Foundation -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
Tom C.Wright -
Service to the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
11th Annual - 1990
Patricia Marchese -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
James McCormick -
Excellence in the Arts
Dennis Parks -
Excellence in the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
12th Annual – 1991
American Nevada Corporation -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
John Lenz - Excellence in the Arts
Edda K. Morrison -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Joanne Nivison -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
13th Annual –1992
Caesars Palace -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Marcia Growdon -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Carol Kimball -
Excellence in the Arts
John Smith -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
14th Annual - 1993
Maureen Barrett -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Kathie Bartlett - Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Eddie Brooks - Excellence in the Arts
Sierra Wind Quintet -
Excellence in the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
15th Annual – 1994
Norman Cain - Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Clarice Giselle -
Excellence in the Arts
John Irsfeld -
Excellence in the Arts
SUMMA Corporation -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
16th Annual – 1995
E. L Cord Foundation -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
Bernice A. Fischer -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Shaun T. Griffin -
Excellence in the Arts
Theresa Jackson & JoAnn Martinez -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Angie Wallin -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
17th Annual – 1996
Debbie Arrighi -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Robert Beckmann -
Excellence in the Arts
Adam Fortunate Eagle -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Moya Olsen Lear -
Service to the Arts: Businesses and
Patrons
George Rosenberg -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
18th Annual – 1997
Jose Bellver -
Excellence in the Arts

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS
Joan Dyer -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Dedee Nave -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Lilly V. Sanchez -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Robert & Gwynneth Weiss -
Service to the Arts: Businesses and
Patrons
Youth Camerata Orchestra -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
19th Annual – 1998
Bill Abrams -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
(posthumous)
Rebecca Eagle Lambert -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Erik Lauritzen -
Arts and Education
Edw. Martinez -
Excellence in the Arts
Vicki A. Richardson -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Annabelle Shelly -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Millennium Awards –
1999 & 2000
Bob Blesse -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Emma Bobb -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Sara Bogard -
Arts and Education
Senator Richard Bryan -
Nevada Arts & Humanities Award for
Public Service (presented by the Nevada
Arts Council and Nevada Humanities)
Rodolfo Fernandez -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Peter Goin -
Excellence in the Arts
Robin Greenspun -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Mary Ellen Horan -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Nevada Bell -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
Senator Harry Reid -
Nevada Arts & Humanities Award for
Public Service (presented by the
Nevada Arts Council
and Nevada Humanities)
Kathy Huff Sederquist -
Arts and Education
Gary Short -
Excellence in the Arts
Western Folklife Center -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
William Snyder, FAIA -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Zoria Zetaruk -
Excellence in Folk Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
21st Annual - 2001
Artown –
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Bill & Harriet Barkley -
Service to the Arts: Businesses and
Patrons
Bill Cowee -
Excellence in the Arts
Dr. Joe Crowley -
Nevada Arts & Humanities Award for
Public Service (presented by the Nevada
Arts Council and Nevada Humanities)
Elko Basque Club -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Dave Hickey -
Arts and Education
Antonia Lowden -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Nevada Museum of Art -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
22nd Annual – 2002
Bruno & Edna B. Benna –
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Louis Castle –
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Danny Greenspun -
Nevada Arts & Humanities Award for
Public Service (presented by the Nevada
Arts Council and Nevada Humanities)
Joan Lolmaugh –
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
Gus Mancuso –
Excellence in the Arts
Linda Murphy –
Arts and Education
Al Tietjen –
Excellence in Folk Arts
Wells Fargo Bank of Nevada –
Service to the Arts: Businesses and
Patrons
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
23st Annual – 2003
Sue Coleman -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Las Vegas Academy of International
Studies, Performing and Visual Arts -
Arts and Education
Dr. N. Edd Miller -
Distinguished Service in the Arts/Nevada
Arts & Humanities Award for Public
Service (presented by the Nevada Arts
Council and the Nevada Humanities
Committee)
Sierra Arts -
Service to the Arts: Organizations and
Individuals
Turkey & Peter Stremmel -
Service to the Arts: Businesses and
Patrons
Larry Williamson -
Excellence in the Arts
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
24th Annual – 2004
Meg Glaser -
Service to the Arts:
Individuals and Organizations
John Klai, Jr. -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
Virginia McCuin -
Excellence in Folk Arts

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS
Senator Ray Rawson -
Nevada Arts & Humanities
Award for Public Service
(presented by the Nevada Arts
Council and Nevada Humanities)
Philip Ruder -
Excellence in the Arts
Sylvia Tegano -
Arts and Education
Senator Dina Titus -
Nevada Arts & Humanities Award for
Public Service (presented by the
Nevada Arts Council and Nevada
Humanities)
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
25th Annual – 2005
Emma Sepulveda-Pulverenti -
Excellence in the Arts
Elizabeth Brady -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Paul Ford -
Arts and Education
28TH ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS NOMINEES
In addition to this year's award recipients, the following were nominated by colleagues, friends and family members
to be considered for 28th Annual Governor's Awards.We thank them for their ongoing commitment to the arts and
culture in Nevada.
Bamidele J,Ademfemi
African Arts Productions
Kristen Avansino
H. Lee Barnes
Rosine Bena
Erika Paul Carlson
Center for Creative Therapeutic Arts
East Fork Gallery
Kachell Dorothy Figueroa
Friends of Washoe County6 Library
Howard Goldbaum
The Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation
Patti Hicks
Churchill Arts Council -
Service to the Arts:
Organizations and Individuals
John "Jack" Fegely –
Service to the Arts: Businesses and
Patrons (posthumous award)
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
26th Annual - 2006
Dolora Zajick -
Excellence in the Arts
Bill Maloy -
Excellence in Folk Arts
Dr. Richard L. McGee and Dr. Joan
McGee - Arts and Education
Nancy Deaner -
Service to the Arts:
Organizations and Individuals
Christine Fey -
Service to the Arts:
Organizations and Individuals
Carol Franc Buck -
Service to the Arts:
Businesses and Patrons
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
27th Annual - 2007
Gailmarie Pahmeier -
Excellence in the Arts
Mexico Vivo -
Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts
The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre -
Leadership in Arts Education
Jill Berryman -
Leadership in the Arts: Individual
Great Basin Arts and Entertainment -
Leadership in the Arts: Organization
Jim Nichols -
Patronage in the Arts
Nevada Ballet Theatre -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
David Bugli -
Distinguished Service to the Arts
Ellen Hopkins
Dr.Victoria Kilbury
Las Vegas Philharmonic
Las Vegas Youth Orchestra
Jennifer Main
Ivy Mak
Lincoln Maynard
Nila Northsun
Carol Pallesen
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum & Visitors Center
Rulan Stands (Paiute Shoshone Quilters)
Paul Thornton
Dr. James Winn

ACKNOWLEDG
Our deep gratitude goes to the dozens of individuals and businesses noted below who
donated significant funding and assistance to ensure the success of tonight's event.
Lynn Bistany
Jill Berryman
Susan Boskoff
Charleston Heights Arts Center Staff
Tina Chen
City of Las Vegas Leisure Services
Department-Arts & Community Events
Division - Karen Schmidt Hanner, Robin
McCartney, Kelly Schwarz
Susan Clark
Contemporary Arts Collective
volunteers - Meghan Dolan, Noelle
Garcia, Rosanna Garcia, Grace Gross,
Alex Huerta, Brigette Palmer, Gregory
Perna, Patti Velasco
Cameron Crain
Maryjane Dorofachuk
Patricia Elias - Soiree's Catering
Jim Endres
Stacy Endres
Michelle Ené
Linda Ficklin
Bernice A. Fischer
Dr. Michael E. Fischer
Firouzeh Forouzmand
Robert J. Gabrielli
Hector Gonzalez - Nevada Power
Hadley Han - Jason Kenneth Designs
Robin A. Hodgkin
Joyce Hollister
Debbie Holleran - Nevada Power
Richard Hooker
Carol Johnson
Tim Jones
J.A. Skip Kelley - Clark County
Communications
Beate Kirmse
Las Vegas Youth Orchestra Musical
Directors and Board Members - Steve
Crupi, Bev Patton,Kerry Bennett, Ryan
Dudder, Brian Downey, Geoff, Neuman,
Chuck Jackson, Dean A. Becker, Denise
Dean, Karen Dean,Dr.Paul Hesselink,
Tracy Hill,Toni Milleret, Laurie Pedreira,
Greg Stokes, Doug Van Gilder

MENTS
Monique Laxalt
Linda Leos
Lynn Libby
Joan Lolmaugh
Metro Arts Council of Southern
Nevada Board - Nancy Deaner, Chris
Giunchigliani, Jay Hiner, Joan
Lolmaugh, Stan Saito, Candy
Schneider, Judy Stokey, Eric Strain,
Mark Zachman
Rob McDevitt - Vice President of
Human Resources, Carry-on Trailer
Corporation
Teresa Moiola
Tracy Morgon - Sales Manager,
Golden Nugget Las Vegas
Fran Morrow
Joleen Murphy
Nevada Magazine
Nevada Alliance for Arts Education
Nevada Arts Advocates
Nevada Citizens for the Arts
George Ogilvie
Shannon O'Keeffe
Joe Palermo
Marcia Robinson
Diane Rugg
Mark Ryzdynski
Bill Sims
Andrea Smith - Director of
Corporate Communications, Nevada
Power
Rebecca Snetselaar
Southern Wine and Spirits
Judy Stokey - Director, Government
Affairs, Nevada Power/Sierra Pacific
Power
The Smith Center for the Performing
Arts
Paul Thornton
Rossitza Todorova
Brad Van Woert
Mary Vargas
Angie Wallin
Patricia Wells

NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL
A division of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, the Nevada Arts Council
celebrated its 40th anniversary as a state agency in 2007.With offices in Carson City
and Las Vegas, the Arts Council mission is “to enrich the cultural life of the state through
leadership that preserves, supports, strengthens and makes accessible excellence in the
arts for all Nevadans.” Nevada Arts Council programs serve as catalysts to stimulate
artistic and cultural activity, to provide education to both the general population and
our leaders on the role of the arts in American life and to encourage public and private
support for the arts.The Nevada Arts Council is supported by funds designated by the
Nevada State Legislature, grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and
donations from other private sources.
BOARD
Tim Jones, Chair, Reno; Stacy Endres, Reno; Firouzeh Forouzmand, Las Vegas; Carol
Johnson, Reno; Monique Laxalt, Reno; Joan Lolmaugh, Henderson; Joe Palermo, Las
Vegas; Marcia Robinson, North Las Vegas, Bill Sims,Winnemucca
STAFF
Lynn Bistany, Program Assistant - Las Vegas; Susan Boskoff, Executive Director; Maryjane
Dorofachuk, Arts in Education Program Coordinator - Las Vegas; Linda Ficklin,
Administrative Services Officer; Robin A. Hodgkin, Community Arts Development
Program Coordinator; Fran Morrow, Artist Services Program Coordinator; Joleen
Murphy, Accountant Technician; Rebecca Snetselaar, Folklife Associate - Las Vegas;
Rossitza Todorova, Nevada Touring Initiative Assistant; Mary Vargas, Grants Program
Coordinator; Patricia Wells, Folklife Program Coordinator
Design by: Syd Visual
Text by Robert J. Gabrielli and Susan Boskoff
Printing by Nevada Power
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT:
Nevada Arts Council
716 North Carson Street, Suite A
Carson City, NV 89701
775.687.6680
1.800.992.0900x6680 (toll-free)
Southern Nevada Office
2755 East Desert Inn Road, Suite 160
Las Vegas, NV 89121
702.486.3700
www.NevadaCulture.org

The Nevada Arts Council extends its profound appreciation to these businesses
for their generous support of the 28th Annual Governor's Arts Awards