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

Join us for the 2026 Arts Awards Celebration
Sun., May 17  |  1:30 p.m.  |  Reiman Gardens

Join us to celebrates those who celebrate the arts!

The Ames Community Arts Council will hold its annual Arts Awards Celebration on Sunday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens [1407 University Blvd., Ames]. The public is invited to join the Ames Community Arts Council in honoring those who have supported and encouraged the arts through their extraordinary actions and exemplary service to the Ames community. This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served. 

The following awards will be given:

Jodi Goble, nominated by Brad Dell on behalf of the ISU Department of Music and Theatre Arts, is this year's Art Educator award recipient. For over 15 years, Jodi has been an indispensable force in the artistic and musical landscape of Iowa State University and the Ames community, contributing her extraordinary talents as a pianist, composer, and musical director to countless performances and productions that have enriched our cultural fabric. Jodi Goble is a true artistic treasure, and her tireless dedication to the musical life of Ames and beyond makes her an ideal recipient of this award.

Bryan Willer, this year’s Local Treasure awardee has been nominated by Stan Rabe of the Ames Community Theater (ACTORS). Bryan is a true local treasure whose impact reaches far beyond community theater. As the band director at Woodward‑Granger High School, he leads marching band, concerts, contests, and even organizes a jazz festival for area schools. He directs musicals and plays, coaches speech students, and creates opportunities for students to experience live theatre. In the community, he performs with the Boone Municipal Band and contributes his musical talents to his church. At ACTORS, Bryan has been a leader, director, music director, set builder, mentor, and standout performer. His creativity, generosity, and tireless dedication make him invaluable to our arts community.

Reiman Gardens’ Grow and Give Volunteers, nominated by Kim Hope on behalf of Reiman Gardens, are this year’s Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteers. This dedicated team closes the loop between local growers and the urgent need for fresh produce in Story County. They tend and harvest Reiman Gardens’ produce, staff weekly drop‑offs, and weigh, sort, and deliver donations to more than a dozen pantries. Core volunteers—including David and Laura Miller, Linda Naeve, Glen Umbaugh, Donald and Dorothy Lewis, Teresa Rosenberg, and Lonny Jepsen—help ensure nearly 24,500 pounds of nutritious food reached families in 2025. Their commitment truly strengthens our community.

It is an honor to recognize Heather Lanning, nominated by Beth Weninger, representing the Octagon Center for the Arts, as the 2026 Distinguished Board Member. For seven years, Heather has offered steady, generous leadership, extending her term to support a thoughtful transition and mentor new board members. As Board President, she guided the Octagon through the uncertainty of COVID‑19 while sustaining DEI and committee work. Heather shows up for everything—events, workshops, fundraisers, and the behind‑the‑scenes tasks that keep the Octagon thriving. Her optimism, dedication, and wholehearted presence have left a lasting and deeply meaningful impact on the organization.

The Ames Water Treatment Plant, nominated by Lee Anne Willson, is being recognized with the Art in the Workplace award. For many years, the plant hosted a well‑run and thoughtfully curated art show centered on the theme of water, showcasing creative work from across the community. The exhibition remained on display for a month, included several cash awards, and often resulted in the purchase of selected pieces for permanent installation. This annual show consistently attracted compelling artwork that meaningfully enriched the cultural landscape of Ames, demonstrating how public facilities can champion and celebrate local creativity.

Nominated by Darryl Bennett, Jody Bergan Bennett, owner of Lucky Star Market, is this year’s recipient of the Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur award. For 15 years, her pop‑up market has created a free, welcoming venue for emerging artists to share and sell their work. Appearing in locations across Ames and nearby communities, Lucky Star features printmakers, painters, jewelers, potters, wood and leather artists, food artisans, and local musicians. Jody also uplifts young creators and nonprofits, including annual partnerships with Ames High art students and Friendship Ark. Her vision has strengthened community connection and enriched Ames’ creative landscape. It is a pleasure to honor her.

Nominated by Tracey Stewart, it is an privilege to recognize University Museums Director Lynette Pohlman with the Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy award. Lynette has spent more than five decades shaping the arts at Iowa State and beyond. Since the early 1970s, she has been the guiding force behind University Museums, transforming a small collection into a world‑class assembly of 30,000 objects and turning the entire campus into a living gallery. Her leadership, scholarship, and vision have touched thousands of students and community members. As she prepares for retirement, we celebrate her extraordinary legacy and lifelong commitment to advancing the arts.

Finally, Ames musician Homer Gartz was nominated by Chris Ewan for the Lifetime Achievement award. For more than four decades, Homer has shaped the musical life of Ames through his extraordinary dedication to teaching, performing, and community leadership. As a music educator in the Ames Community Schools from 1962 to 2003 and Ames High band director for nearly 30 years, he inspired generations of young musicians and built a program that grew to almost 300 students. His influence extended far beyond the classroom through his long service as director of the Ames Municipal Band and his contributions to arts organizations across the community. Generous, passionate, and unwavering in his commitment, Homer Gartz has left an enduring legacy that continues to enrich Ames.
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The Mesa String Quartet—Michael Li and Simay Zhu, violins; Erin Cho, viola; and Sailesh Srinath, cello will provide entertainment during the 2026 Arts Awards Celebration. The quartet formed after meeting in high school orchestra and bonding over their love of music. Casual rehearsals soon became a dedicated pursuit, shaped by guidance from private teachers, orchestra directors, and coachings from Julie Henson. They value collaboration and strive to make chamber music meaningful and accessible for the Ames community and beyond.
 
Light refreshments will be available. The Arts Awards Celebration, an annual event of the Ames Community Arts Council, is free and open to everyone.
This event is supported in part by the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). For more information, call 515-259-0494 or visit our website: www.amesart.org.

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Betty Sailsbury, 2023 Cherished Volunteer

Lynne Carey, 2023 Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy, presented by Mary Richards

Sonja Johnson, accepting 2023 Board Member award for Chris Johnson

Sloss Center, 2023 Art in the Workplace

Leo Timms, 2023 Lemonade-from-Lemons for Senior Variety Show, presented by Ronnie Lindman

Laurie Hoifeldt, 2023 Local Treasure

Ellyn Grimm, accepting 2023 Cultural Entrepreneur award for Ames Writers Collective

Robert Thomas, 2023 Lifetime Achievement

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.​

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• 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 ​

• 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.

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• 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.

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2023 Awardees and Nominators - What an amazing crew!

2023 Audience at ACTORS

2023 Entertainment - The Pump Boys

Past Award Recipients*

Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer Award
Stephani Schebart (2025)
Jean Eichmeier (2024)
Betty Sailsbury (2023)
Dennis Wendell (2022)
​Caroline Freese (2021)
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
Tascha Hauber (2025)
​William Dilla (2024)
​Chris Johnson (2023)
​Jim Popken (2022)
​Eric Weber (2021)
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
Ronna Faaborg (2021
​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
Melinda Jenkins-Moore (2025)
​Norma Wolff (2024)
Laurie Hoifeldt (2023)
Rubin Ruiz (2022)
Michael Londra (2021)
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
Tammy Koolbeck (2025)
​Sam Wormley (2024)
Lynne Carey (2023)
​Michael Golemo (2022)
Jennifer Drinkwater (2021)
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
Ames Public Library (2025)
ISU Department of Economics: Peter Orazem and Patti Cotter (2024)
Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity (2023)
Green Hills Community (2021)
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
Stephens Auditorium (2024)
Senior Variety Show (2023)
Story Theater Company (2022)
M-Shop Performing Arts Committee (2021)
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
Aaron Lott, Lott Music Studio (2025)
Cason Murphy (2022)
​Jordan Brooks (2021)
Cappie Dobyns (2021)
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
Linda Hardie, Hardie Clay Studio (2025)
Ames Writers Collective (2024)
Department of Music and Theatre (2024)
Reliable Street / Lockwood 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
Mel Crippen (2025)
​Betty Boccella (2024)
Robert Thomas (2023)
Barbara Evenson (2022)
​Ken Cameron (2021)
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.