Governor's Arts & Heritage Awards

First Gentleman Mike Gregoire and the Washington State Arts Commission honored the recipients of the 2007 Governor’s Arts and Heritage Awards, at a special ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Olympia on January 24, 2008.

 

The recipients of the Governor’s Arts Awards were: Richard Elliott, an artist from Ellensburg; Elizabeth Herres Miller, Director of Allied Arts of Yakima Valley; Pamela Belyea and Gary Fagin, accepting on behalf of the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle; and Michael Sandner, Director of Arts Education and Curriculum Integration for Bethel School District.

 

The recipients of the Governor’s Heritage Awards were: Elaine Grinnell, S'Klallam elder and storyteller; Pete Peterson, Sr., Skokomish artist; and Skye K. Richendrfer, a bagpiper and Director of the Celtic Arts Foundation in Mount Vernon.

 

Each recipient received a certificate acknowledging their "outstanding service to the cultural life of Washington State," from Mike Gregoire.

 

All awardees, and the Governor, also received a one-of-a-kind glass vessel from the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

The 2007 Governor's Arts and Heritage Award was created by hotshop artists at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

 

The Museum contributed a selection of colorful Spontaneous Design vessels, the result of an innovative program at the Museum where the visitors design the object and then watch as the glassblowers shape it to their specifications. The audience makes several design decisions, choosing the shape for the vessel, the foot, handles, colors, and decorations. The hotshop team of artists Ben Cobb, Gabe Feenan, Alex Stisser, and Sarah Gilbert then create the piece from molten glass.

 

The Governor’s Arts and Heritage Awards, awarded biennially, are among the most prestigious honors bestowed in our state. Since 1966, over 145 individuals and artists and organizations have received Arts Awards and 48 individuals and organizations have been honored with a Heritage Award.

Established in 1966, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals and artists for their significant contributions to the creative vitality of Washington State. The award is a comprehensive award, not one solely for the creation of quality artwork or community service or financial contribution; it is for all of these and more.

Established in 1989, the Governor’s Heritage Awards honor outstanding individuals and organizations whose dedication to preserving and promoting traditions and cultural heritage are worthy of state recognition.

 

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