Instituted in 1989, Friends of the Arts is and activity sponsored by the Bemidji Community Art Center and the Bemidji Public Library that honors a local individual or couple who has given generously of their time to promote the arts in the Bemidji area. These individuals have made significant and sustained contributions to the linguistic, performance, and visual arts of the greater Bemidji area. They are nominated by Bemidji area citizens and then selected by a community panel. To honor their legacy a photo of each recipient is displayed in the Bemidji Public Library Community room. The BCAC would also like to recognize photographer Monte Draper and Butch Holden, Professor of Visual Arts at Bemidji State University, for their assistance in recognizing our Friends of the Arts honorees.
Previous winners include
1989 Helen Gill, Arts Patron
1990 Phil and Betty Sauer, Arts Patron
1991 Roewna Deweese,
1992 Betty Rossi, Literature
1993 Paul Brandvick, Music
1994 Nancy and Fulton Gallagher, Music
1995 Mary Lou and loie Marchand, Arts Patron
1996 Sally James Lehman, Visual Arts
1997 Ione McIntyre,
1998 Pluma Kenfield,
1999 Marlon Davidson, All Arts
2000 Ken Wold
2001 Sandy Kaul, Visual Arts
2002 Becky Lueben, Theatre
2003 Roberta Sellon,
2004 Ann Hayes, Music
2005 Wayne Hoff, Music
2006 Karen Bradley, All arts
2007 Marie Luoma, Music
2008 Dr Beverly Everett, Music
2009 Greg Gasman, Theatre
2010 Janet Brademan, All Arts
2011 Jim and Marilyn Heltzer, Arts Patron
Marilyn and Jim Heltzer 2011 FOA
Recipient’s of the Friends of the Arts award are recognized at our annual banquet and award ceremony held in their honor in the Spring. The awards banquet is open to the public and with advance tickets available at the Art Center. For ticket information, call the BCAC at 444 7570.
Friend of the Arts nomination forms are available here or by contacting the BCAC by calling (218) 444-7570, or email us at bcac@paulbunyan.net
