Celebrating the 2012 Lumies Award Winners
The following post is by Emily Duwel, communications manager at the Tucson Pima Arts Council. The Arizona Commission on the Arts congratulates all of the nominees and honorees of the 2012 Lumies Arts and Business Awards!
On June 15th, over 500 people gathered to celebrate the 2012 Lumies Arts and Business Awards. The Tucson Pima Arts Council created the annual Lumies event in order to celebrate the outstanding individuals, groups and businesses – or “luminaries” – that contribute to Southern Arizona’s cultural vitality.
The event was held at the historic El Casino Ballroom, a Tucson icon that has showcased the greatest names in jazz, soul and Mexican music. Decorated with swathes of tulle and flowers, the evening began with a VIP reception for nominees and Candlelight Sponsors, followed by a general reception for all the guests, who supped on fragrant tamales, poblana chicken and more.
The Awards Ceremony itself started with a welcome address by TPAC Executive Director Roberto Bedoya, followed by a beautifully crafted film by Film Creations Ltd. that featured interviews with the four Artist Lifetime Achievement Nominees. These include Tucson Symphony Orchestra conductor George Hanson, botanical illustrator Manabu Saito, public artist To-Ree-Nee Wolf McArdle, painter Gail Marcus Orlen and artist/arts advocate Marvin Shaver.
Well-known journalist Ernesto Portillo Jr. then went on to announce the 11 winners (selected among 45 worthy nominees), all of whom were greeted with enthusiastic applause. Following the Ceremony, a revved up crowd took over the wooden dance floor, as the sizzling Mambo sounds of headliners Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta filled the air.
The 2012 Lumies winners are:
- Artist Lifetime Achievement: George Hanson, Conductor of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra
- Established Arts Organization: 91.3 KXCI Community Radio, which is known for its innovative programing
- Large Business Partner: Buffalo Exchange, which is a significant contributor to the arts
- Arts Patron (Tied): Jean-Paul Bierny, Founder of the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music; and Fletcher McCusker, entrepreneur and catalyst of Tucson’s downtown revitalization
- Small Business Partner: Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea, one of Arizona’s longest-running poetry slam venues
- Arts Education Program: The University of Arizona Poetry Center, a living archive that offers extensive K-12 arts education in its efforts to maintain and cherish the spirit of poetry
- Arts Educator: David Andres, long-time Pima Community College adjunct faculty, as well as director of the Bernal Gallery
- Art Partner: Oro Valley Hospital, which has been working to put together an extensive public art collection
- Emerging Arts Organization: Fluxx Studio & Gallery, which uses the arts to promote open dialogue
- Emerging Artist: Amy Briseño, a 19-year-old poet and co-host of the Tucson Youth Poetry Slam
