Nominees for 2nd Annual Fusion Art Award Named

ArtWorks! Gwinnett will recognize contributions to art at the second annual “Fusion ArtWorks! Gwinnett Art Awards” Monday, Feb. 25, at the Buford Theatre and Community Center. The awards celebrate the artists, arts administrators, and citizens who support the arts countywide.

Awards will given in more than a dozen categories, and this year’s nominees consist of almost 30 individuals and almost 20 companies and partnerships. Combined, the nominees represent seven municipalities from around Gwinnett. Including Buford, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Snellville, and Suwanee.

Fusion tickets are $100. Discounts are available for ArtWorks! Gwinnett members and Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce members. Tickets can be purchased online at http://artworksgwinnett.eventbrite.com.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception in the Phillip Beard Ballroom and move by 7:45 into the Sylvia Beard Theatre for the awards ceremony. The ceremony will feature performances by Gwinnett artists, including the Royal Dance Academy, Herman Pennamon, Advocate Arts, Zephyr Instrumental, and Aurora Theatre.

Fusion is a fundraiser for ArtWorks! Gwinnett, the non-profit, tax-exempt umbrella organization serving Gwinnett County. ArtWorks! promotes and builds support for arts and culture opportunities in Gwnnett County.

Art Award Nominees by City:

Buford

• Donna R. Biggee, artist, Tannery Row Artists Colony, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Visual Artist
• Gwinnett Plein Air Challenge, a partnership between Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation and Tannery Row Artist Colony, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership
• Suzanne Holtzcamp, volunteer for the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership, the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Individuals
• Mighty 8th Media, based in Buford, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Creative Business
• Rebecca Parker, president and artistic director, Live Arts Theatre, nominated for Arts Volunteer of the Year Award, the Community Impact Award for Arts Leader, and the Community Impact Award for Performing Artist
• Mavis Stevents, artist, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Visual Artist
• Tannery Row Artists Colony, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Arts Program

 Duluth

• Barefoot in the Park, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Arts Program and the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership
• Sally Corbett, former executive director of ArtWorks! Gwinnett (which is based in Duluth), nominated for the Community Impact Award for Arts Leader and the Vision Award
• Duluth Fine Arts League – nominated for the Community Impact Award for Arts Leader, the Community Impact Award for Community Arts Program, and the Community Impact Award for Visual Arts Organization
• Mayor Nancy Harris, nominated for the Vision Award
• Jean Harrivel, volunteer at New Dawn Theater, nominated for the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award
• The Hudgens Center for the Arts, nominated for nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership and the Community Impact Award for Visual Arts Organization
• Sherry Ingbritsen, president and artistic director, New Dawn Theatre, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Performing Artist
• John Laszlo, actor, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Performing Artist
• Bill McCargo, arts supporter, nominated for the Vision Award
• Ann Morrow, volunteer for the Hudgens Center for the Arts, nominated for the Arts Volunteer for the Year Award
• New Dawn Theatre, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Performing Arts Organizations
• Angela Nichols, director of education and public programs for the Hudgens Center for the Arts, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Arts Leaders
• Eddie Owen, founder, Eddie Owen Presents, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Individuals and the Community Impact Award for Arts Leaders
• Eddie Owen Presents, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Arts Programs the Community Impact Award for Creative Businesses, and the Community Impact Award for Performing Arts Organizations
• Johnnie Rowe, supporter of the arts, nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award
• Vernon Smith, curator and Pottery Manager for the Hudgens Center for the Arts
• Lynn Urda, director of Gwinnett Young Singers (company rehearses in Duluth), nominated for Arts Educator of the Year Award
• Judy Waters, Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award
• Zephyr Instrumental, based in Duluth, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership, the Community Impact Award for Arts Leader, and the Community Impact Award for Performing Arts Organizations

Grayson

• Jennifer Hite, dancer, from Grayson, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Performing Artist
• Whitney Sue Jones, teacher at J.C. Magill Elementary, nominated for Arts Educator of the Year Award

Lawrenceville

• Art Thru the Lens, produced by Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Department, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership
• Aurora Theatre and Georgia Gwinnett College, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Arts Partnership
• Holley Calmes, marketing director, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, nominated for the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award
• Richard Calmes, photographer, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Visual Artist
• Laura Grams, Cisco, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Individuals
• Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Performing Arts Organizations
• Gwinnett Plein Air Challenge, a partnership between Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation and Tannery Row Artist Colony, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership
• Gwinnett Technical College, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Organizations
• Peach State Federal Credit Union, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Organizations
• Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence, founding leaders of Aurora Theatre, nominated for the Vision Award and the Community Impact Award for Arts Leaders

Norcross

• Sean Casey, marketing director, Lionheart Theatre, nominated for the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award

Peachtree Corners

• Suzanna’s Kitchen, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Organizations

Snellville

• Donna R. Biggee, artist, resides in Snellville, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Visual Artist
• Chase Garner, teacher at W.C. Britt Elementary School, nominated for the Arts Eductor of the Year Award

Suwanee

• Advance Auto Parts and Ultra Car Wash, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Organizations
• Art Thru the Lens, at George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership
• North Gwinnett Arts Association, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Arts Programs
• Cathy Rohloff, nominated for the Vision Award
• Holtzcamp Heating and Air, based in Suwanee, nominated for the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for an Organization
• Suzanne Holtzcamp, volunteer for the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, nominated for the Community Impact Award for Community Partnership, the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Individuals
• Debi West, teacher at North Gwinnett High School, nominated for Arts Educator of the Year Award

Complete Fusion Art Award Nominees:

Lifetime Achievement Award: for an individual who has had a significant, multi-year impact on the arts in Gwinnett. (Last year’s winners: Ann Parsons Odum, Barbara Howard, and Cynthia Sutt)

Nominees: Johnnie Rowe and Judy Waters

Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Individuals: a member of the corporate community who has made a significant impact on the arts. (Last year’s winners: Karen Fine Saltiel and Theresa Bullock)

Nominees: Laura Grams, Suzanne Holtzcamp and Eddie Owen

Corporate Arts Citizen Award for Organizations: a company in Gwinnett that has made a significant impact on the arts. (Last year’s winners: Chocolate Perks, Gwinnett Daily Post, and Primerica Foundation)

Nominees: Advance Auto Parts and Ultra Car Wash, Gwinnett Tech, Holtzcamp Heating and Air, Peach State Federal Credit Union, Suzanna’s Kitchen

Community Impact Award for Community Partnership: a community partnership that has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year. (Last year’s winner: Barefoot in the Park)

Nominees: Art Thru the Lens, Aurora Theatre and Georgia Gwinnett College, Barefoot in the Park, Gwinnett Plein Air Challenge, Holtzcamp Heating and Air, The Hudgens Center for the Arts, Zephyr Instrumental

Community Impact Award for Community Arts Program: a community arts program that has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year. (Last year’s winners: Gwinnett Public Libraries Arts Programs and Suwanee SculpTour)

Nominees: Barefoot in the Park, Duluth Fine Arts League, Eddie Owen Presents, Live Arts Theatre, North Gwinnett Arts Association, Tannery Row Artist Colony

Community Impact Award for Creative Business: a creative for-profit business that has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year. (Last year’s winner: Accent South Media)

Nominees: Eddie Owen Presents and Mighty 8th Media

Community Impact Award for Performing Artist: a performing artist who has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year (New Award)

Nominees: Jennifer Hite, Sherry Ingbritsen, John Lazlo, Rebecca Parker

Community Impact Award for Visual Artist: a visual arts artist who has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year. (New Award) (Last year’s artist category winner: Vickie Johnson)

Nominees: Donna R. Biggee, Richard Calmes, Vernon Smith, Mavis Stevens

Community Impact Award for Visual Arts Organization: a visual arts nonprofit that has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year (New Award)

Nominees:  Duluth Fine Arts League, Hudgens Center for the Arts

Community Impact Award for Performing Arts Organization: a performing arts nonprofit that has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year. (Last year’s Arts Presenter category winner: Aurora Theatre)

Nominees: Eddie Owen Presents, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, Live Arts Theatre, New Dawn Theatre, Zephyr Instrumental

Arts Educator of the Year Award: an outstanding arts educator. (Last year’s winner: Robert Andrews)

Nominees: Chase Garner, Whitney Sue Jones, Lynn Urda, Debi West

Arts Volunteer of the Year Award: an outstanding arts volunteer. (Last year’s winner: Holley Calmes)

Nominees: Holley Calmes, Sean Casey, Jean Harrivel, Suzanne Holtzcamp, Ann Morrow, Rebecca Parker

Community Impact  Award for Arts Leaders: an arts leader who has made a significant impact in Gwinnett this past year. (Last year’s winner: Teresa Osborn)

Nominees: Sally Corbett, Duluth Fine Arts League, Angela Nichols, Eddie Owen, Rebecca Parker, Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence, Zephyr Instrumental

Vision Award: for an individual (or company) who has changed the arts in Gwinnett for the better through their vision and focus. (Last year’s winner: Margaret Parsons Andrews)

Nominees: Sally Corbett, Nancy Harris, Bill McCargo, Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence, Cathy Rohloff