37th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards
The 2018 Governor’s Arts Awards at the Arizona Biltmore on March 22 attracted 500 guests from across the state. The 37th annual event raised funds to support Arizona Citizens for the Arts advocacy efforts with a focus on arts education in the schools.
In all, nine awards were presented, including the 2018 Shelley Award, which was given to Alberto Álvaro Rios, Arizona’s inaugural state poet laureate and currently chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. The second annual Philanthropy Award was presented to Judith Hardes of Phoenix for her long-time commitment to arts and culture organization across the state. In a rare tie, Valley jazz icon Dennis Rowland and celebrated sculptor Doug Hyde of Prescott were named Artists of the Year.
Billie Jo and Judd Herberger were the presenting sponsor. Steve Yarbrough, Arizona Senate president, and J.D. Mesnard, speaker of the house, helped present the awards to honorees.
Arts in Education Organization honoree Foothills Fine Arts Academy. Artist Saskia Jorda is holding the award.
2018 GOVERNOR’S ARTS AWARDS HONOREES
Arts in Education – Individual: Dennis Ott, Sedona
Arts in Education – Organization: Foothills Fine Arts Academy, Glendale
Small Business: Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe
Large Business: Vestar, Tucson
Community: Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Wickenburg
Individual: Sam, Phoenix
Shelley Award: Alberto Álvaro Rios
Philanthropy Award: Judith Hardes, Phoenix
Artists of the Year: Dennis Rowland, Phoenix, and Doug Hyde, Prescott
PHOTOS BY BOB RINK
Abbey Messmer and individual honoree Sam
Carrie Seid and Doug Hyde, co-artist of the year
Katharina Roth, Dennis Rowland, SRP General Manager Mark Bonsell, Doug Hyde and Carrie Seid
Carmen Guerrero and Sunnee O’Rork
Charlize and Alan Augenstein
Cindy Dach, Changing Hands Bookstore, and artist Laura Spalding Best
Cindy Ornstein; Renee Lopata, Mesa Arts Center development director; Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO Scottsdale Arts; and Kathy Wills, board chair Scottsdale Arts
Cathy Weiss, Del E Webb Center for the Performing Arts executive director, and artist Claire Warden
Dennis Rowland and Sydney Blaine
Sen. Steve Yarbrough, Judith Hardes, glass artist Virgil Jones, Judd and Billie Jo Herberger, and Rep. J. D. Mesnard
Shelley Cohn, after whom the Shelley award was named, Albert Alvaro Rios and Melissa Cody
Susan Franano, Tucson Symphony; and Jessica Andrews, managing director emeritus Arizona Theatre Company
Tom Wilson, Tami Lewis and Robert Booker
