NINE ARTISTS, MUSICIANS’ ASSN. HONORED : ARTS AWARDS GO TO THE INFLUENTIAL
Nine individuals and the Musicians’ Assn. have received Outstanding Contribution in the Arts Awards from the Orange County Arts Alliance.
The awards, presented recently at the alliance’s annual membership meeting, are given in various categories to Orange County persons or groups “who show exceptional quality in artistic or related productivity, and who have had a widespread and profound influence on their peers.”
The alliance also reelected Patti-Gene Sampson president. Sampson, who chairs the Newport Beach Arts Commission, said the other new board officers will be named next month.
Awards went to Maurice Allard, director of the Orange County Master Chorale; Phyllis Berenbeim, coordinator of the county Education Department’s Arts for the Handicapped Program; and Nixson Borah, artist and Fullerton College professor.
Other award winners were David Emmes and Martin Benson, founders and artistic directors of South Coast Repertory Theatre; Gloria Newman, who founded her own dance troupe;Robert Peters, writer and professor at UC Irvine; and Lila Zali founder-director of Ballet Pacifica. A posthumous award was made to Philmer Ellerbroek, an architect noted for numerous local projects, including work at UCI and Orange Coast College.
Musicians’ Assn. Local No. 7, Santa Ana, was cited for its arts education activities, including its sponsorship of youth concerts.
The alliance also announced that Michele Weigand will fill the new staff post of project coordinator. Weigand earned a bachelor’s degree in art from California State University, Chico, and is taking graduate courses in public administration at Cal State Long Beach.
The alliance will offer orientation on the state arts program for organizational grants March 12 and 13. The sessions will meet from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the alliance office in the Bowers Museum Center, 2036 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Aides from the California Arts Council, will conduct the sessions. To make an appointment, call the alliance, 836-1600.
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