Mayor John Hickenlooper, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs are pleased to announce the 2007 recipients of the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. The 2007 honorees are Curious Theatre Company, The Denver Brass and Lighthouse Writers Workshop. In addition, the Mayor’s Cultural Legacy Award will be presented to Donald R. Seawell, founder of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. New this year and in partnership with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, Mayor Hickenlooper will salute the recipients of the Mayor’s Young Emerging Artist Awards. More information on the honorees is included below.
The 2007 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts reception will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m.) at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Denver campus, 2144 E. Iliff Avenue (garage parking $6; venue also accessible via light rail). Mayor Hickenlooper will present the awards to the honorees at the event. The public is invited to attend this free community celebration. RSVP to 720-865-4318 or doca@denvergov.org.
Since 1986 the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts annually recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to the arts in the City and County of Denver.
2007 Awards for Excellence in the Arts Awardees:Curious Theatre CompanyFounded in 1997, Curious Theatre Company has become one of the most highly acclaimed theatres in the Rockies, garnering more than 70 national and local awards. Their commitment to bringing the best new theatre to Denver has lead to collaborations with some of America’s most exciting playwrights, including Pulitzer Prize winners Paula Voegel and Suzan-Lori Parks. They also are the most recent organization to be selected as a Catalyst Partner Organization by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. With each performance, Curious fulfills its organizational mission “to engage the community in important contemporary issues through provocative modern theatre.” As one of two full-time union theatres in Denver, Curious’ outreach focuses on building bridges that demonstrate the relevance of theatre in the daily lives citizens. www.curioustheatre.org
The Denver BrassOne of just a few professional large brass ensembles in the world, The Denver Brass enjoys a success directly linked to its universal appeal. People from every background find inspiration in its diverse programming—classical, jazz, Broadway, Latin and new sound sensations created by brass with bagpipes, steel drums, hand bells, fiddlers, voices and a variety of distinguished soloists. The Denver Brass and Aries Brass Quintet, the recital quintet of The Denver Brass, are heard by more than 75,000 people at more than 150 performances annually, and on 20 compact discs on the Klavier, Centaur, Delos and Denver Brass labels. Musicians are selected not only for exceptional technical and creative skills, but also for their integrity, dedication to community and support of fellow musicians. www.denverbrass.org
Lighthouse Writers WorkshopLighthouse Writers Workshop is an independent, nonprofit creative writing program founded and operated by working writers. Since 1997 Lighthouse has embraced the mission of helping fiction and nonfiction writers, poets, playwrights and screenwriters explore their craft in a supportive yet challenging environment. Lighthouse offers programs taught by active, award-winning writers who are also passionate teachers. Their programs include ongoing weekly and one-day workshops, an annual Summer Lit Fest, an annual Writer’s Studio and, most recently, a young writers program. Lighthouse programs invoke the transformative power of creative writing, a power that connects writers and readers of all ages, whether they’re publishing or just enjoying the words. www.lighthousewriters.org
Mayor’s Cultural Legacy AwardDonald R. SeawellDonald Seawell has transformed the history of the performing arts in Denver over three decades by founding and chairing the board of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) and developing the Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC), the largest performing arts center between New York and California. His involvement in theatre began as he entered into private law practice in New York City, listing celebrity clientele such as Noel Coward and Tallulah Bankhead, among others. He is noted for producing many Broadway and London shows like A Thurber Carnival and Noel Coward’s Sail Away. He became the attorney for both The Denver Post and its principal owner Helen G. Bonfils, who also became his partner in many Broadway shows and other ventures. In 1966, Mr. Seawell established full-time residency in Denver and became President and CEO of The Denver Post, and shortly thereafter its Chairman and Publisher.