art everywhere

June 5th, 2008 at 09:48pm Cindy Harris

The Mayor’s Arts Awards, presented by the Rockford Area Arts Council, are wrapping as I tap this out. The awards have little to do with advertising - the stated intention of ADwire - but are critically important to the cultural and economic health of our community. The arts affect us all and allow us to understand our world, to interpret our challenges and triumphs and are the lens through which we view our strengths, our frailties and our oneness.

As Greg Johnson from Beetcafe.com said in accepting his award for Community Impact by a Business, “Rockford has the best, most hidden, arts culture of anywhere he’s ever been.” And I concur. Without further ado, the recipients of this year’s Awards are:

• Community Impact by a Business: www.BeetCafe.com
• Exceptional Students: Caroline Chen & Emily Cummins
• Creative Cultural Event: MidTown Through the Eyes of Child presented by Zion Lutheran Church
• Individual Arts Advocate: Ald. Doug Mark (Rockford’s 3rd ward)
• Creative Inspiration Award: Anderson Japanese Gardens
• Individual Artist: Robert McCauley

(l to r) Rockford Area Arts Council Executive Director Anne O’Keefe, Individual Arts Advocate Recipient Ald. Doug Mark (Rockford’s 3rd) and Mayor Larry Morrissey

Entry Filed under: other, Philanthropy