Arts Awards Celebration -- "Celebrating those who celebrate the arts!"

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​The 2023 Arts Awards Celebration will be Sunday, May 21.

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE!

Watch here for more information about the 2023 ceremony.
2022 Arts Awards Celebration 
The Ames Community Arts Council held its annual Arts Awards Celebration on the patio of Stephens Auditorium on Sunday, May 15 at 1:30 p.m. Ryan Sheeler provided entertainment. Thanks to all who were able to join us! 
 
The following awards were given:

  • Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer: Dennis Wendell, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre
  • Distinguished Board Member: Jim Popken, nominated by KHOI FM Community Radio
  • Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award: Michael Golemo, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre
  • Lemonade-from-Lemons: Story Theater Company, nominated by Nancy Gebhart
  • Art Educator: Cason Murphy, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre
  • Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur: Dog-Eared Books, nominated by Ana McCracken
  • Local Treasure: Rubin Ruiz, nominated by the Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames (CASA)
  • Lifetime Achievement: Barbara Evenson, nominated by the Ames Choral Society
 
We will have entertainment and light refreshments. This event is supported in part by the Iowa State Center and the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA).

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We hope you can join us for the 2022 Arts Awards Celebration! Read more about our winners below!


​Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer: Dennis Wendell, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre
Dennis Wendell, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre, is receiving the Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer Award. Dennis has been a tireless volunteer for the Iowa State University Department of Music and Theatre. In addition to his long-time support of the department’s keyboard division, Dennis has volunteered for many years to host the department’s annual Scholarship Musicale in his home. A showcase for the department’s faculty and students, the Musicale raises thousands of dollars for scholarships. Dennis has also put in many hours as Curator and Emeritus Staff for the Ames History Museum including the organization’s expansion project. In addition, he serves as Archivist for the Ames Town and Gown Chamber Music Association. It is our honor to present Dennis with the Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer Award
Distinguished Board Member: Jim Popken, nominated by
KHOI FM Community Radio
Jim Popken, nominated by KHOI FM Community Radio, is receiving the Distinguished Board Member Award. Jim was already a great board member at KHOI, serving as the Chief Engineer and Chair of the Facilities Committee. Then, KHOI had to relocate to a new space at the same time as a major shift in staffing at the station. Jim came to the rescue in ways that far exceeded expectations. After assisting with the purchase of a new building, he assumed the role of general contractor for the improvements that included ensuring ADA compliance, suitability for KHOI use, and aesthetics for a community venue. He orchestrated a complicated move that included zero on-air down time, a truly miraculous feat. Jim’s cheerfulness helps everyone around him be their best selves, and he always has the best interests of the organization and the greater community in mind. Jim Popken has distinguished himself as a KHOI Board Member.
Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award: Michael Golemo,
nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre
Michael Golemo, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre, is receiving the Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award. Since arriving in Ames as Director of Bands at Iowa State University, Michael’s impact on the community has been meaningful and distinguished. He has conducted concerts with numerous ensembles and has appeared in countless recitals and concerts. He has contributed original compositions to honor specific individuals or events. Furthermore, he has been responsible for bringing many world-class performers to Ames, building a positive town and gown relationship between Ames and ISU. Since 2003, he has served as the director of the Ames Municipal Band, providing creative and diverse programming each summer. For the past ten years, Michael has organized, promoted, and conducted TUBACHRISTMAS concerts. This newer tradition has been so successful that twice they needed to move to larger venues. Michael has worked tirelessly to make Ames an artistic destination in central Iowa. He is very deserving of the Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award.
Lemonade-from-Lemons: Story Theater Company, nominated by Nancy Gebhart
The Story Theater Company, nominated by Nancy Gebhart, is receiving the Lemonade-from-Lemons Award. Theater, and other public art performances, have continued to be challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Story Theater Company (STC) has responded to the challenge in thoughtful and intentional ways that allowed them to safely continue offering theater-making opportunities for youth actors and artists while also providing safe theater experiences for the Ames community. Recognizing the financial constraints on attending live theater and thus the exclusion from arts experiences that result, STC temporarily changed their ticketing policy to a "radical hospitality" model where attendees can pay what they wish/pay what they can. This was implemented as a response to the pandemic, but it has proven to be so successful that they have adopted this as their ticketing policy moving forward. This inspirational move toward making art access more equitable in Ames is a positive outcome of a difficult time. Truly making lemonade-from-lemons!
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Art Educator: Cason Murphy, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre
Cason Murphy, nominated by the ISU Department of Music and Theatre Arts, is receiving the Art Educator Award. Whether in a classroom, rehearsal space, advising session, or working group, Cason’s teaching demonstrates exceptional student engagement, connection, and effectiveness. He consistently and successfully engages student curiosity while simultaneously grounding his teaching in specific cultural and professional contexts. Cason is deliberate and tenacious in determining where his students are coming from – geographically, academically, culturally, and interest-wise. He frames content within student popular culture to create accessible and familiar pathways into specific theory, criticism, and techniques within the performing arts. And this means he is constantly learning from students, too. In all his teaching and curricular efforts, Cason creates learning environments that encourage independent thinking, self-reflection, and problem-solving - skills that students take with them throughout their adult lives. He is the epitome of an engaging and dynamic educator, making him an ideal winner of the Art Educator Award.
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Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur Award: Dog-Eared Books, nominated by Ana McCracken
Dog-Eared Books, nominated by Ana McCracken, is receiving the Veronika Rudenberg Cultural Entrepreneur Award. On March 2021 Amanda Lepper and Ellyn Grimm realized a dream by opening an independent bookstore in downtown Ames. In order to make their dream a reality, Amanda and Ellyn dove into learning about small business ownership and entrepreneurship, and knew from their research and their intuition that the Ames community would benefit from an independent bookstore. Since opening, Dog-Eared Books has been a community hub serving voracious readers, young and old. Dog-Eared Books is an avid supporter of artists of the written and spoken word. They regularly schedule open mics, poetry slams, and author book launches. Dog-Eared also supports local visual artists, offering them wall space to display their work. Through art and books, Dog-Eared Books is connecting the community of Ames, as well as drawing visitors to the community who are seeking literary culture and art. Dog-Eared Books is a fine recipient of the Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur Award.
Local Treasure: Ruben Ruiz, nominated by
​the Creative Artists' Studios of Ames (CASA)
Rubin Ruiz, nominated by the Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames (CASA), is receiving the Local Treasure Award. Ruben Ruiz is a valued member of the Ames arts community. His work is sought out by art collectors from around the Midwest, and he has a very loyal following in Central Iowa. He offers his work through the Octagon Shop and at many art fairs and shows, both locally and regionally. His work is individual and highly varied, but with a uniquely identifiable style, incorporating his love of nature, animals, and flowers. Rubin has become a fine teacher of ceramics. His workshops are focused but leave room for individual expression and artistry. He is one of the first to volunteer when a group of high school students visit to show them how to create his distinctive hand-built flowers. Ruben has also become one of the leaders in Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames (CASA), sharing his knowledge and skill with others, and serving on the CASA Board of Trustees. Rubin is well-deserving of the Local Treasure Award.
Lifetime Achievement: Barbara Evenson, nominated by
the Ames Choral Society
Barbara Evenson, nominated by the Ames Choral Society, is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Barb has spent a lifetime in the music world: elementary school music teacher, harpist, accompanist for choirs and musicals, and more. She is the current accompanist for two groups, Good Company, a women's choral ensemble, and Ames Choral Society, a non-audition choral group performing a diverse range of music. She has also played for Ames Children's Choirs and numerous shows for ACTORS. Barb is an accomplished harpist and shares that talent with the community. Her studies have taken her to international harp workshops in Ireland, she can sing in Gaelic, and she has shared her musical gift generously with young and old alike. Barb's life is steeped in music - personal studies, music education, community outreach, professional accompanist, and much good humor to boot - all making her an ideal winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award


​Ames guitarist Ryan Sheeler will provide music for the event, and light refreshments will be available.

This event is supported in part by the Iowa State Center and the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). 
Do you have somone you would like to honor? Find nomination form HERE.

You are invited to nominate one or more special individuals (or organizations/businesses) for their outstanding efforts in the Ames arts community this year! This is a wonderful way to recognize volunteers, board members, and others for their time and effort.

  • The Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer Award is given to an individual who responds wholeheartedly to a variety of needs for an Ames art organization. This person does the mundane but important basic support work that allows the organization to function and does that work for the long-term

    Hazel Hammer was the consummate volunteer.  Her energies were devoted to the arts.  ACAC, Ames Choral Society, ACTORS and many more organizations, including the Unitarian Fellowship, were indebted to her.  If there was a job to be done Hazel would do it. Sometimes – often actually – it was the job no one else wanted to tackle.  She understood that it was doing the mundane chores that kept organizations operating and growing.  She firmly believed that involvement in the arts could change your life.  Hazel was soft-spoken and a little shy, but when it came to the arts, she could ask people to do things that needed to be done
 
  • The Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award is for that person who generates enthusiasm for Ames arts events by taking every opportunity to promote and encourage participation at any and all levels: as an audience member, as a performer or as a behind-the-scenes volunteer.

    Bill Pelz was one of Ames’ most enthusiastic arts advocates.  During his tenure as Mayor of Ames from 1974-1975, he hosted the first fund raising event for ACTORS to obtain its building on Abraham Drive.  As mayor, Bill created the Ames Community Arts Council.  Today there are six board members and six representatives of member organizations.  Originally this body acted as an advisory group to the city council for funding arts organizations with revenue sharing funds available from the federal government.  Then and now ACAC serves as a coordinating and advocacy organization for the arts in Ames.
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  • The Distinguished Board Member Award celebrates a board member of an ACAC participating organization who fulfills his/her volunteer commitment with loyalty, inspiration and imagination. The award recognizes the essential role that board members play in the vitality of any organization.
 
  • The Art in the Workplace Award recognizes a profit, non-profit or governmental organization in Ames that incorporates the arts into the work place in such a way that learning or appreciation by employees, patrons or customers is encouraged. This could include visual or performing arts, a program in the workplace, or support of events outside the work place.
 
  •  The Lemonade-from-Lemons Creativity Award is given to an ACAC participating member or organization that met adversity with spunk and vigor or that responded to needs and demands in a particularly unique or creative way.
 
  • The Local Treasure Award is a living, practicing artist or group of artists residing in Ames. These individuals or ensembles should demonstrate the highest quality of achievement in their field or form of artistic expression and should also have demonstrated a broad community impact through what they do.
 
  • Art Educator Award is given to an educator in the greater Ames community who identifies, encourages, instructs, and promotes the arts (visual, dance, music, drama, and creative writing) in an exemplary manner.
 
  • Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur Award is meant for a community-minded pioneer who has shown the vision and courage to break ground for some new institution for the enrichment of Ames’ cultural life, creating something where there was nothing.

    Veronika Ruedenberg was an inspiration to many. She supported individual creative efforts in those who wanted to try something new, regardless of how unusual or difficult. She was open-minded and encouraged this in others. Her good intuition, her unflinching good will, her selfless enthusiasm and her confidence in other people, made her an effective cultural pioneer and the institutions she built up grew and prospered long after she was gone. She was living proof of the joy in the creative journey, rather than the safety of the bandwagon.
 
  • Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an artist or artists who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the arts in Ames by freely sharing their outstanding talents and making a significant impact in the community.​
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Note: The Selection Committee is composed of Arts Council Board members who reserve the right to make awards in those categories where adequate nominations have been received.
Past Award Recipients*

Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer Award
Jim & Diane Patton (2020)​
​Ben Smith (2019)
​Barbara Schendel (2018)
​Tara Gartin (2017)
​Rae Reilly (2017)
Ruth Wiedemeier (2016)
Jodi Melcher (2015)
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Hazel Hammer Award for Community Support
Cinian Zheng-Durbin (2014)
Carroll & Fidella Marty (2013)
Margaret (Peg) Johnson (2012)
Dilys Morris (2011)
Karl Gwiasda (2010)
Jim Wilcox (2009)
Kathy Stevens (2008)
Stan Rabe (2007)
Roger Berger (2006)
Chris & Anna Christofferson (2005)
Dorothy Tschopp McGee (2004)
Marianne Chalstrom (2003)
Pam Schwab (2002)
Dan & Suzy Zaffarano (2001)
Anita Beal (2000)
Dennis Lindeman (1999)
Kathy Svec (1998)
Sylvia McCormick (1997)

Distinguished Board Member Award
Kitty Fisher (2020)
Lynn McElrath (2019)
​Marilyn Johnson (2018)
Tom Mohr (2017)
​Laura Jordan (2016)
​Jane Kennedy-Funk (2015)
Tom Jackson (2014)
Ronell (Ronnie) Lindeman (2013)
Peggy Earnshaw (2012)
Lori Sulzberger (2011)
Dario Zaffarano (2010)
Troy Rutter (2009)
Leslie Kawaler (2008)
Lee Anne Willson (2007)
Skip Walter (2006)
Danny Faga (2005)
Willa Holger (2004)
Charles Cumming (posthumous, 2003)
Rue Ann Sams (2003)
Rollie & Willie Struss (2002)
Verne Bates (2001)
Peggy Earnshaw (2000)
Dottie Tschopp (1999)
Keith Wirtz (1998)
Marilee Mertins (1997)

Doug Brown Media Award
Carol Kisling (2014)
KHOI Community Radio (2013)
Mel Crippin (2012)
Mollie Cooney (2011)
Lauris Olson (2010)
Darryl Bennett (2009)
Karen Bryan (2008)
The Tribune (2007)
Art Scene (2006)
Iowa State Daily (2005)
Des Moines Register Ames Life and Times (2003)
Carole Horowitz (2002)
Jane Bullock (2001)
Rachel Jeffries (2000)
Mel Crippen (1999)
Ames Tribune (1998)
WOI Radio (1997)

Local Treasure Award
Mary Richard (2020)
​Molly McDonald (2019)
​Sara Merritt (2018)
​Jonathan Sturm (2017)
Dallas Thies (2016)
​Paul Hertz (2015)
Clark Ford (2014)
Greg Lamont (2013)
Brad Dell (2012)
Ames Piano Quartet (2011)
Laverna Larson (2010)
Cay Peet (2009)
Richard Wood (2008)
James Okey (2007)
Mary Weisgram (2006)
Laurence Burkhalter (2005)
Paula Forrest (2004)
Mark Laycock (2003)
Homer Gartz (2003)
Jane Cox (2003)
Jean Thomas (2002)
M. Button Drexler (2002)
Annette Rowley (2001)
Valerie Williams (2000)
Jo Myers-Walker (1999)
Carmon Slater (1998)
Steve Hoifeldt (1997)
Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award
Steve Bellin (2020)
Sara Compton (2019)
​Jennifer Knox (2018)
​Jim Coppoc (2017)
​Rhonda Scott (2016)
Mike and Myra Jackson (2015)
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Bill Pelz Spirit Award
Letitia Kenemer (2014)
Warren Madden (2013)
Lynn Lloyd (2012)
Dorothy Timmons (2011)
Laverna Larsen (2010)
Mike King (2009)
Linda & Bernie White (2008)
Tom Norris (posthumous, 2007)
Sandra McJimsey (2006)
Don DoBell (2005)
Beverly Wandling (posthumous, 2004)
Kathryn Andre (2003)
Dorothy Gugel (2002)
Chuck Jones (2001)
Susan Norris (2000)
Carole Horowitz (1999)
Betty Toman (1998)
Dee Hegstrom (1997)

Art in the Workplace Award
Northcrest Community (2019)
​Morning Bell Coffee Roasters (2018)
​Alluvial Brewing Company (2017)
Ames Chamber of Commerce (2016)
Sonya Stoltze-Newstrom / Stoltze & Stoltze Family Dentistry (2015)
Wheatsfield Cooperative (2014)
Ruthann O’Brien Hadish (2013)
Pat Brown (2012)
Don Wishart (2011)
Prairie Moon Winery (2010)
Lynette Pohlman (2009)
Reiman Gardens (2008)
Friedrich Iowa Realty (2007)
ISU Memorial Union (2006)
Cafe Diem (2005)
US Bank (2004)
Stomping Grounds (2003)
McFarland Clinic PC (2002)
Unitarian Fellowship (2001)
Story County Conservation Board (2000)
ISU Credit Union (1999)
First Edition (1998)
Mary Greeley Medical Center (1997)

Lemonade from Lemons Creativity Award
Susan Gant (2020)
​Steven Nissen (2014)
Reiman Gardens (2013)
Joyce Vegge (2012)
Octagon Center for the Arts (2011)
Susan Norris (2010)
Nancy Brousard (2009)
Main Street Cultural District (2007)
Ames Historical Society (2005)
Children’s Museum of Center Iowa (2002)
Octagon Center for the Arts (2001)
Ames Heritage Association (2000)
Sue Haug for AIOFA (1999)
Central Iowa Symphony (1998)
ACTORS (1997)

Art Educator Award
James Webb (2020)
Amanda Petefish-Schrag (2020)
Anthony Stevens (2019)
Laurie Olk (2018)
​Molly Nagel (2017)
​Lisa Rich-McKelvey (2016)
​Mark Stoltenberg (2015)
Terrie Hoefer (2014)
Lisa Victoria (2013)
Matt Foss (2012)
Nancy Girard (2011)
Tim Read (2010)
Jeffrey Prater (2009)
Joe Muench (2008)
Richard Heggen (2007)
Cheri Schloerke (2006)
Cynthia Marten (2005)
Sylvia Munsen (2004)

Cherished Volunteer Award
Don & Dee Draper (2014)
Barbara Walton (2013)
Gerald Kline (2012)
Jack Maudin (2011)

Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur Award
Reliable Street / Lockwwood Cafe (2020)
​Rachel & Bryon Dudley (2019)
Creative Artists' Studio of Ames / Lee Anne Willson (2016)
Ames C.art / Kristin Roach, Lyndsay Nissen, & Tiberiu Chelcea (2015)
Maximum Ames / Nate Logsdon & Chris Lyng (2014)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Alice Thompson (2020)
​Jim Okey (2020)
Mark Forbis (2019)
​Priscilla Sage (2018)
​Carole Horowitz (2017)
Roger Berger (2016)
​Chuck Jones (2015)
Loren & Marjorie Muench (2014)
* The Arts Awards were restructured in 2015. Some categories were combined.