Governor's Arts & Heritage Awards Recipient Biographies

2007 recipients of the Governor’s Arts Awards:

Richard Elliott, Artist, Ellensburg. Elliott is a renowned Washington artist whose artistic style utilizes light, color, and radiant geometric patterns. His primary medium is industrial grade reflectors. In 1971 he received a degree in art from Central Washington University and in 2000 was named Distinguished Alumni of the School of Arts & Humanities. His work is included in a number of collections including the State Arts Collection, Oregon Arts Commission, Henry Art Gallery, and many others. Additionally, Dick and Jane’s Spot, his much decorated home in Ellensburg with his wife Jane, is an ever-changing array of dozens of other artists’ works and constructed installations constantly on display for everyone to enjoy.

 

Elizabeth Herres Miller, Executive Director, Allied Arts of Yakima Valley. As Executive Director of Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, Miller’s contribution to the artistic vitality of the area has been tremendous. Miller established and revitalized numerous programs and events, the Mariachi Initiative was established in 2002 to develop mariachi programs in local schools, a family theatre program, poetry readings, and the One-on-One program for youth referred by Juvenile Detention, create arts and community participation opportunities throughout Yakima Valley. And due to her tenacity, vision, and commitment, the Millennium Arts Plaza was created in 2000; it serves not only as a great piece of public art, but also as a community gathering spot and has helped spark a downtown renaissance.

 

Gage Academy of Art, Seattle. Founded in 1989 by architect Pamela Belyea and painter Gary Faigin, the Academy has become a major visual arts school in the Northwest. While its curriculum focuses on teaching artists the fundamentals of form, color, and composition through time-honored artistic principles, the Academy has also developed a number of programs that demonstrate its outreach and impact in the community. After-school, weekend, and summer programs allow the Academy to serve close to 1,000 children and teens each year through tuition-based and free Youth Programs.

 

Michael Sandner, Director of Arts Education and Curriculum Integration, Bethel School District – specifically for his work in Arts Education. Sandner’s contributions to the arts and arts education can be seen at the local, regional, and statewide level. From his participation in the statewide Arts Assessment Leadership Team established by OSPI to develop and implement Classroom Based Performance Assessments in the Arts, to his work to help establish the Bethel Foundation which provides funding for arts activities throughout the community, and his leadership, knowledge and support for arts education in every school within the district.

2007 recipients of the Governor’s Heritage Awards:

Elaine Grinnell, S'Klallam elder, and storyteller, Sequim. Grinnell is an elder of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe. She is a historian, storyteller, and cook; preparing traditional dishes for tribal functions. In addition, she teaches classes in Native American drum making, basketry and cooking. She most recently began working as a cultural specialist in the S'Klallam language program, after retiring from the Port Angeles school district. Elaine is a former president and current board member of the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association and has presented as a storyteller and basketweaver at conferences including the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

 

Pete Peterson, Sr., Skokomish artist and cultural treasure, Shelton. Pete Peterson, Sr. is a living cultural treasure, a master carver and elder of the Skokomish Tribe. He has dedicated more than thirty years of his life to the preservation of traditional Northwest Coastal Salish art forms. Supporters and peers world-wide recognize, respect and revere him as a ‘great artist’, one who is knowledgeable about the art form, is willing to share that knowledge with others, and has the ability to translate that knowledge. He was honored in 1980 for returning the bentwood box to the Skokomish community – an art form and cultural tradition that had been lost for more than one hundred years. He has since supported numerous apprentices for the Skokomish people and other tribal communities. He is the recipient of numerous WSAC Master/Apprenticeship grants, a WSAC Fellowship in 2003, and the First People’s Fund in 2003. He is a mentor and teacher and was recognized by the Skokomish Indian Tribal Council as a “Cultural Treasure” in 1998.

 

Skye K. Richendrfer, bagpiper and Director Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon. Richendrfer is an acclaimed bagpiper, founder of the Celtic Arts Foundation and the Skagit Valley Highland Games, which in its fourteenth year draws over 10,000 participants from around the world. Additionally, his impact in the community is demonstrated through his work to support the restoration of the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon, fundraising for the building of the McIntyre Hall on the Skagit Valley College campus, and the creation of the “Celtic Stage” in city owned Edgewater Park.