Nominations for Middlebury College Friends of the Art Museum Annual Arts Awards Now Being Accepted

For Immediate Release: January 11, 2010
Contact: Andrea Solomon, Events and Programs Coordinator, at (802) 443–2034

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.—The Friends of the Art Museum and the Middlebury College Museum of Art are pleased to announce the thirteenth annual Awards for Distinction in the Visual Arts. The awards encourage appreciation of the visual arts in the community by recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions either through exceptional creative achievement or support of the visual arts. They are bestowed on students, artists, teachers, and leaders in the visual arts living or working in Addison County.

Nomination forms have been sent to individuals, schools, and other organizations involved in the visual arts. They are also available to anyone who is able to provide the selection committee with a thorough description of the nominee’s accomplishments. Please contact Andrea Solomon, Events and Programs Coordinator at the Museum, at (802) 443–2034 for a nomination form or further information, or download the forms online at http://museum.middlebury.edu/events/awards/. The Friends of Art request that nominations be returned to Ms. Solomon at the Museum by Fri., Mar. 5. The awards ceremony will take place at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Art Museum at Middlebury’s Kirk Alumni Center on Sun., May. 2.

Awards may be given in seven categories and are limited to residents or organizations located in Addison County. Categories are Middlebury College senior; high school senior; eighth-grade student; sixth-grade student; teacher in a public or private school; professional or amateur artist, craftsperson, or teacher; and arts benefactor, volunteer, or organization. While nominations in all categories are accepted, the selection committee is not obliged to make awards in each category every year. The selection committee, appointed by the Friends of Art, is composed of Museum staff, one member of the Middlebury College Department of Studio Art, the chair of the Friends of the Art Museum, four local artists, and one representative from Addison County schools. Award recipients are presented with a certificate designed by Woody Jackson, Middlebury College class of 1970, as well as a cash award.

Last year’s recipients of the Friends of the Art Museum Award for Distinction in the Visual Arts were Middlebury Union High School senior Lisa Coale of Weybridge, Mount Abraham Union High School senior Sierra Urich of Bristol, Middlebury Union Middle School eighth-grader Grace Boucher of Middlebury, Beeman Elementary School sixth-grader Susannah Frey of New Haven, and artist Janet Fredericks of South Lincoln.