CONGRATULATIONS

THOSE WHO GIVE TO THE ARTS RECEIVE AWARDS

The city of Glendale and its Cultural Affairs Section of the parks department and the Arts and Culture Commission recognized community members during a ceremony May 14 at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Recipients of the Diamond Awards for Achievement in the Arts were, the Stepping Stone Players represented by Belinda Howell, president of the board of directors; Craig Kupka, music teacher at Hoover High School; Samuel Hambardzumyan, artist; and Ruth Anson Sowby, community partner.

Each was recognized for what they bring to the arts in the community, said Ripsime Marashian, cultural affairs coordinator. They were judged by a panel of people who are involved in arts organizations in Glendale.

Stepping Stone Players was chosen because their annual theater performances provide a positive impact on youngsters and their parents.

Kupka was selected because he inspires the students in the high school’s music program.

Hambardzumyan was recognized because he is an award-wining fine artist both internationally and locally.

Sowby was honored as a community partner individual because she’s very active in writing about arts in the community through her column in the Glendale News-Press.

The awards program is one of the programs of the Cultural Affairs Section of the city’s parks department that provides staff support to the city’s Arts and Culture Commission.

They were established in 2000 to enrich the human experience, to reinforce Glendale’s identity and civic pride through arts and culture and to recognize the importance of the arts to the city’s quality of life and local economy.

For more information, call Marashian, Cultural Affairs coordinator, at (818) 548-2780.