“Art … self-expression, paint, clay, paper, and BODY! I am excited to be in a space that CELEBRATES artists of every kind! The feel, the vibe and the beautiful energy!” — Laurie Donner
As the Tri-County Arts Council continues to advocate for the entire region, the Celebration of the Arts recognized artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters from Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties Sunday at the Palmer Opera House.
The following awards were presented:
• Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement, named after longtime Arts Council board president, to Carson Waterman of Salamanca.
• Distinguished Artist of the Year, honoring individual artists in any discipline for their creative excellence and superior accomplishments in 2023, to Laurie Donner of Allegany.
• Excellence in Arts Education, honoring arts educators (one from each county) for work in providing art instruction and cultivating lifelong supporters of the arts, to Debra Eck of Chautauqua County, Dana Crandall of Cattaraugus County and Zachary Hamm of Allegany County.
• Volunteer of the Year Awards to Marcia Merrins of Chautauqua County, Paul Nelson of Cattaraugus County and Eric Jones of Allegany County.
• Program of the Year to Sukanya Burman Dance in Chautauqua County, Night Lights at Griffis Sculpture Park in Cattaraugus County and Palmer Opera House in Allegany County.
Meanwhile, TCAC presents “An Artistic Journey, From Watercolors to Oils and Back Again” by Barbara Fox through Aug. 30 in the Peg Bothner Gallery.
TCAC is also always adding to its Artisan Market and class schedule at 110 W. State St. Summer hours from Wednesday to Friday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All Tuesday classes will still be held and TCAC will add morning arts classes in September.
