Congratulations to all of these Champion of the Arts Award winners!

1994 - Norwest Bank (Wells Fargo Bank)
1995 - First Federal Savings Bank  and  Frame Works & Gallery
1996 - Hoskin, Farina, Aldrich & Kampf  and  Haining Plumbing & Heating
1997 - City Market  and  Taco John's (12th Street) 
1998 - Home Loan & Investment,  Elite Expressions,  and Grand Cleaners
1999 - Energy Air Drilling Company  and  Picture This
2000 - Elam Construction, Inc.  and  Working Artists Studio
2001 - Alpine Bank  and  Planet Earth & the 4 Directions Gallery
2002 - Old Chicago Restaurant  and  The Neon Factory
2003 - Cole & Company/Century 21 Realty  and  The Coffee Studio
2004 - Grand Junction Free Press   and   The Crystal Café
2005 - The Daily Sentinel,  Kay Ambrose, and Karen Hildebrandt
2006 - FCI Constructors, Inc.  and  Sara Alyn Oakley
2007 - Arlene Baker & U. S. Bank  and  Connie Robbins-Brady & MCVSD 51 Art Heritage Program
2008 - Enstrom Candies  and  Terry Shepherd, and Honorable Mention 13 Photography
2009 - St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center, Pamela Blythe of Blythe Group + Co., and Krystyn Hartman/Grand Valley Magazine and Honorable Mention Stephen Boelter

This year the Arts Commission recognized three outstanding Champions of the Arts: 

          ~~ St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center, CEO Robert Ladenberger and Century Project architect Rob Jenkins. St. Mary's was nominated by Cheryl McNab and the Western Colorado Center for the Arts for their long-standing commitment to local and regional artists through the purchase and display of artists' work for many years, and in particular their recent purchase of approximately $375,000 in original and reproductive artwork by Colorado artists for the new Century Project.  As Cheryl noted in her nomination, "The fact that they continue to choose local, original, or reproductive art instead of...prints that have no connection to the hospital's community speaks volumes about this institution. Especially this year St. Mary's Hospital deserves to be recognized for its ongoing commitment to the local art scene." 

          ~~ Pamela Blythe, the designer behind much of St. Mary's art collection including the Century Project. Pamela was nominated by the Cheryl McNab at The Art Center and Christy Whitney, director of Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado. According to The Art Center's nomination, "During her 35 year career designing commercial projects for the Grand Junction community, she has always looked for ways to incorporate original art (and local art if possible) into those projects."

          ~~ Krystyn Hartman, former executive director of the Grand Junction Symphony and publisher and editor of Grand Valley Magazine. Krystyn was nominated by Deborah Snider, Mesa State College Assistant Professor of Art Education, for her contributions as director of the Grand Junction Musical Arts Association and to the local music scene and for her excellent publication Grand Valley Magazine (which just celebrated its first anniversary) and the magazine's cultural arts focus. Deborah praised Krystyn's "deep belief that collaboration is the key to making things happen [and] her love of music and fine arts."

This year the Commission awarded a posthumous Honorable Mention recognition to Stephen Boelter. Steven was nominated by Martha House for his active participation in and financial generosity toward Grand Junction's music community, especially the Grand Junction Symphony.

The three winners were given works of art by local artists Raymon Anderson, John Lintott, and Sylvia Emery Wilhelm ar their awards.

Cultural groups, organizations, and local citizens nominate Grand Junction businesses and individuals for this honor to recognize their generosity, dedication, promotion, and support of the arts, and the award winners are selected by the Commission on Arts and Culture.  The awards were presented at the annual Symphony Gala in November.

In the fall of each year, the Commission on Arts and Culture invites nominations for the two annual Champion of the Arts Awards.  The awards are given to one Grand Junction business (located within the city limits) or organization, and one individual who/that epitomizes leadership, generosity, and dedication towards arts and culture.  The selection criteria are:

 ~ A consistent and on-going commitment to support, sustain & promote arts & culture/artists/arts organizations;
~ Financial donations and underwriting support and/or generous in-kind professional support and assistance;
~ Extensive volunteer time and continued, sincere, above-and-beyond involvement (for individuals).