Date:

April 30, 2008

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Graham Little, AmeriCorps/Lincoln Arts Council, 434-2789

Mayor Chris Beutler will present cash awards Thursday, May 1 to the winners of the National Arts Program contest for employees of the City of Lincoln and their families. More than 100 entries were received, and 15 artists will be recognized in a ceremony at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 555 South 10th Street. The awards ceremony will be carried live on 5 CITY-TV, the government access cable channel. No City funds were used for the contest or exhibit, and the program had no entry fee.

This is the second year the City of Lincoln has participated in the National Arts Program, which sponsors art contests and exhibits for City employees and their families in about 450 communities across the country. Additional financial support is being provided by AmeriCorps/the Lincoln Arts Council and the Nebraska Arts Council.

All artwork entered will be exhibited from Thursday through May 21 at Eiseley, 1530 Superior Street; Gere, 2400 South 56th; or Walt, 6701 South 14th. Each artist chose the branch where his or her work will be displayed. Opening receptions will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday May 1 at each branch.

“I see the creativity of our City employees every day,” said Mayor Beutler. “This contest gives them and their families the opportunity to share their art with co-workers and the general public. We are pleased with the support of our partners, who make this contest possible. I encourage residents to visit the exhibits to see the great talent we have in our City.”

The winner of the “Best in Show” award is Matthew Norsworthy, a Library Assistant at the Bennett Martin Public Library. He will receive $300 for that award and another $300 for winning first place in the adult professional category. A complete list of award recipients follows this release.

Judges for the contest were Carol DeVall, an artist and member of Gallery 9; Michael James, quilt artist; and Renee Johnson, owner of So-Oh Fine Art.

More information on the national program is available at www.nationalartsprogram.org. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, supports the program through a matching grant funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. More information is available at www.nebraskaartscouncil.org.

BEST IN SHOW ($300) - Matthew Norsworthy, Library

YOUTH UNDER 12
First place ($75) - Robbie Quenzer Baier, son of Lin Quenzer, Mayor’s Office, and Barb Baier, Finance
Second place ($50) - Clayton Brooks, son of Tami Bonnema, Library
Third place ($25) - Joelle Tangen, daughter of Matthew Tangen, Police

YOUTH 12 - 18
First place ($75) - Bisi Oyinlade, daughter of Tami Bonnema, Library
Second place ($50) - Eric Shepherd, son of Doug Shepherd, Police
Third place ($25) - Kellen Restau, son of Karen Restau

ADULT AMATEUR
First place ($300) - Matt Landis, son of Dave Landis, Urban Development
Second place ($200) - Ian G.M. Mickells, son of Greg Mickells, Library
Third place ($100) -Toni Murrell, daughter of Mark McCaugherty, Lincoln Water System

ADULT INTERMEDIATE
First place ($300) - Donna McCaugherty, wife of Mark McCaugherty, Lincoln Water System
Second place ($200) - Matthew Rezac, brother in law of Jon Sundermeier, Police
Third place ($100) - Scott D. Clark, Library

ADULT PROFESSIONAL
First place ($300) - Matthew Norsworthy, Library
Second place ($200) - Patricia Ann Twomey, Health Department
Third place ($100) - Scott Stewart, Library