Photo by David Olsen, courtesy of TPAC.
The Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC) is delighted to announce the slate of nominees for the 2014 Lumies Arts & Business Awards. This year’s cohort of 40 exceptionally talented individuals, organizations and partners underscores the Lumies’ continued relevance to shining a light on the creative achievers who profoundly enrich our communities and lives.
A small sample of nominees demonstrates Tucson’s ongoing role as an incubator for the arts. From an international star and teacher of mime to a designer who creates giant body parts for kids to traverse, from a primary force behind the rise of folklorico dance to a patron that helped to save one of Arizona’s most venerable theatres, from a music director who has classically trained legions of young musicians to a librarian who is working with youth on the design of a free media center—this year’s nominees are standouts.
They also represent a spectrum of artistic pursuits and good works.
The Lumies will be held appropriately under the starlight this year, in the gardens of the Tucson Museum of Art Plaza on Friday, June 6th beginning at 6.30 p.m. with a catered reception and cash bar. Patrons can also privately tour Miradas, the Museum’s exhibit of contemporary Mexican art.
The Awards Ceremony kicks off at 7.30 p.m., with Arizona Daily Star editor and journalist Ernesto Portillo Jr. reprising his role as emcee. During the Ceremony, all nominees will be recognized and winners’ names announced. To cap the evening, patrons can groove and sway to the psychedelic cumbia sounds of local break-out band Chicha Dust.
Mural by Ben’s Bells, photo courtesy of TPAC.
The $35 ticket price entitles guests to enjoy the reception, exhibit, ceremony and music performance. $5 tickets are also available for those who wish only to hear the music, starting at 8.30 p.m. For event and ticket details visit the TPAC website or call 520.624.0595 x10
2014 Lumie Nominees:
Under the Artist Lifetime Acheivement category:
Folkloríco dancer, choreographer and teacher Julie Gallego has inspired students for 30 years, while raising appreciation near and far for this vital Latino cultural form.
Diana Madaras is a well-known local artist, whose artwork donations have raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities.
Mime Rick Wamer performs in one-man and ensemble shows around the globe and returns yearly to teach young people and promote innovative arts learning in schools.
Art tutoring for seniors at The Drawing Studio.
Under the Established Artist category:
Kimi Eisele is a dancer, choreographer, writer, teacher, artist, facilitator and artistic director of New ARTiculations Dance.
Steven Eye is the founder of Solar Culture, a venue for local and international artists and musicians to showcase their work.
David Johnston is an accomplished actor, singer and tightrope walker who has worked with Tucson’s leading theatres.
Bill Mackey is an artist and architect whose interactive installations challenge viewers to question common assumptions about the built environment.
Exhibit Director Kevin Mills has created exciting hands-on learning experiences for young people, transforming the Children’s Museum into a major downtown destination.
Catherine Nash’s artistic practice is informed by intensive study of traditional and contemporary techniques from around the world, which she shares with her students as a long-time teacher.
Ben Olmstead and Simon Donovan have created some of Tucson’s most beloved public artworks, such as Reid Park Zoo’s Loxodonta Africana and now the Streetcar line’s Poet’s Head.
Adam Rex is a nationally known writer and children’s book illustrator whose The True Meaning of Smekday is being turned into an animated comedy by Dreamworks Studio.
Stage musician, teacher and composer Fernando Romero’s musical scores have attracted numerous awards for the multilingual interactive App and eBook series, Luca Lashes.
The Tucson artist Wil Taylor created the iconic poster for last year’s All Souls Procession, enjoys sold-out shows and donates artworks to benefit local non-profits.
Under the Established Arts Organization category:
Ben’s Bells’ handmade signature bells and over 50 community installations inspire, educate and motivate people to recognize the power of intentional kindness.
The Drawing Studio has for more than 20 years sought to develop the skills of visual intelligence in people of all ages and walks of life.
The Loft Cinema has been recognized as one of the country’s 17 leading art houses and whose range, quality and diversity of programming serves to create community through film.
The Rialto Theatre is an arts and entertainment cornerstone of downtown Tucson’s revitalization, whose wealth of creative programming draws large audiences from near and far.
Kevin Mills’ giant mouth can be explored at Children’s Museum Tucson.
Under the Arts Educator category:
Janice Jarrett is an accomplished mezzo soprano vocalist, Fulbright Scholar and jazz composer, who has been a contributor to musical education in Tucson for decades.
Kevin Johnson is an actor and educator founded Arizona Onstage Productions in order to create thought-provoking and accessible theatre and youth opportunities.
Josh Schachter develops community-based media projects that give voice to refugee, immigrant and at-risk youth in Southern Arizona and as far away as Nigeria and Nepal.
Under the Arts Education Program category:
At Broadway Camp, under Marie Gawne, students engage in developing a full-length Broadway musical with the mentorship of industry professionals and talented educators.
Christian Youth Theater provides affordable arts education to over 1,000 children each year, with theater classes, music lessons, summer camps, and full Broadway style productions.
The Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, considered one of the country’s foremost symphonic youth programs, provides young musicians with invaluable training and life skills.
The acclaimed Tucson Symphony Orchestra Education Program brings music to some 14,000 Arizona students each year, and takes students from novice listeners to professional composers.
Under the David Hoyt Johnson Arts Administrator category:
Public Librarian Jennifer Nichols raised significant grant funding to work with youth on the research and design of a free media center for young people in downtown Tucson.
JCC Director of Arts & Culture Lynn Davis facilitates artist exhibits, the JCC’s Annual Sculpture Exhibition and the International Jewish Film Festival each year.
The Loft Cinema’s co-founder and Executive Director, Peggy Johnson, is the driving force behind the 42-year-old art cinema’s transformation into a successful non-profit cultural center.
Under the Arts Patron category:
Karen Falkenstrom is co-founder of Kore Press, Tucson’s first women’s press; In Concert! which presents world and contemporary music; Japanese drum ensemble Odaiko Sonora; and Rhythm Industry, the artist-owned performing arts incubator.
Michael Kasser’s patronage and service have allowed many Tucson arts organizations to thrive, as well as kept the doors of the Arizona Theatre Company open.
Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Education Program reaches youth through music.
Under the Business Partner category:
Jim Click’s philanthropy has allowed many arts non-profits to remain operational, as well as served the University and the disability community.
General Growth Properties, owner and operator of the Tucson Mall and Park Place shopping center, has created thousands of paid opportunities for performing and visual artists.
Northern Trust’s contributions of financial support and leadership have strengthened many of our region’s leading non-profit organizations.
Under the new category of Civic Partner:
Arizona Public Media is Southern Arizona’s only media partner devoted to promoting the full complement of creative talent represented in our region.
As Board President for 5.5 years, Randi Dorman stewarded MOCA Tucson through recession into a new spectacular facility that today offers world-class exhibits and engaging public programs.
Artist and educator Stevie Mack has produced award-winning educational videos and today offers workshops and tours that foster cross-cultural and artistic appreciation.
Under the Emerging Arts Organization category:
The innovative contemporary dance company Artifact Dance Project boasts successful collaborations with artists, composers, singers, filmmakers and more.
Exploded View is a storefront micro cinema that has become a hub for the avant-garde and a platform for our community’s ‘unheard voices.’
Lonely Street Productions has grown in five years into a nationally recognized full-scale music production company that specializes nostalgia-based entertainment.
The Tucson Pastel Society, under the vision of founder/president Becky Neideffer, fosters the skills and community for local pastel artists to flourish and donates to charity.