On Sunday September
24th,
the 7th Annual Profant Foundation For The Arts Awards were presented
in the Mural Room of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. This nonprofit organization
gives scholarships to local artists, actors, dancers, musicians, and
writers of all ages. These funds are made possible by the proceeds
from the annual Fiesta Finale Gala as well as contributions by people
commemorating loved ones, while creating scholarships. Donors
have named Legacy Awards in honor of a special teacher, accomplished
performer, or in one case, in memory of a pet Standard Poodle.
MC Mignonne Profant
welcomed the recipients, and Dr. Mary Collier presented the awards,
noting some of the judge’s remarks. Marie
Profant thanked the committee and sponsors, pointing
out that “more businesses have supported the awards than ever
before, including Bega Lighting, Bryant & Sons, Ltd., Citrix
Online, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, European Ceramics & Mosaics,
Firestone Vineyards, Glenair, Inc, Mid-State Bank & Trust, Only
Hearts Club, Prudential Real Estate, as well as many individuals.”
This
year the Robert Profant Award was
made possible though a pilot project, a Talent Search fundraiser
to benefit the students of Santa Barbara City College. When the project launched last
year, John Romo, President of the College explained that "John
Profant's brother Robert was a faculty member for nearly four decades
and a major contributor in molding the college into the highly regarded
institution and community that it is today. The collaboration between
the Profant Foundation and SBCC carries on the legacy of these two
inspirational men who cared deeply about students and the arts. The
scholarships provided by the Talent Search proceeds will make a big
difference to students who might not otherwise be able to pursue their
dreams." On behalf of John and the College, Alice Sharper,
Ph.D., Dean of Fine Arts accepted the $3500 Award, which will benefit
Film students.
Dr. Collier
explained that, “Our individual scholarships, ranging
from $500 to $2000, are given to artists of all ages along with special
awards for projects benefiting the community. To maintain objectivity
in the selection process, the applications are judged by a committee
of ten credentialed professionals located outside the County of Santa
Barbara. The decisions are based on basic talent for the art,
a desire for a career and financial need. The following are
the recipients for 2006.”
Dance
Honorable Mention - Misa Kelly
Judges’ Comments: Ms.
Kelly is impressive as a performer and has a gift for incorporating
humor in her choreography.
Honorable Mention - the Shirley Mueller Award – Anya
Ledner
Judges’ Comments: A young talent
who deserves a strong foundation and intensive
training at this formative time.
The Legacy – This
award in memory of Shirley Mueller, known for her love of music,
entertainment, and art, will help a young performer follow her dreams
to be on stage.
Second Place - Merritt Howard
Judges’ Comments: For such a young
age Merritt has developed excellent technique. She performs
very difficult variations with a lovely, light expression.
Second Place - the Paul Michael Toomey Award – Zeke
Dascomb
Judges’ Comments: A
young dancer of strong focus who shows extensive promise.
The Legacy – Paul
Michael Toomey was an outstanding choreographer and dancer – on
ice. His family treasures
his memory, and continues his legacy and love of dance, through
this tribute award. Now celebrated as an “Impresario”,
Chris Toomey has contributed annual Legacy Awards.
First Place - the Sheryl Pike Award - Timo Nunez
Judges’ Comments: A
dancer of great charm and charisma, his technique and ability
to connect with the audience are evident and carry him
as a professional.
The Legacy – Sheryl Pike was known for her joyful
personality, endearing charisma, and love of the arts. Her
talented assistance to the Profant Foundation – during the
early formation of the committees – is remembered with this
tribute.
First Place - the Willard Moore Award - Pablo Pizano
Judges’ Comments: Simply
Exquisite! His technique is impeccable and his performance
quality is at once professional, polished and mysterious.
The Legacy – Willard
Moore, a Master in the world of dance during the 20th century, was
a strong influence in Los Angeles and beyond. His leadership,
particularly for men in dance, is remembered with this award.
Theater
First
Place - the Collette McGuire Award – Joshua
Duvendeck
Judges’ Comments: A strong
young actor who’s selections were well shaped and demonstrated
a wide range of both talent and skill.
The Legacy – Collette McGuire, a young actress and producer
of live theater in New York, is honored by her mother Haley, with
this first place award that will help a developing actor in Santa
Barbara. Now celebrated as an “Impresario”, Haley
has contributed annual Legacy Awards.
Literature
Honorable
Mention - the Caesar Shaar Award – Miller
James
Judges’ Comments: Mr.
James is both entertaining and original, with a clear desire for
a career in literature and developing theater for youth.
The Legacy – Joyce Shaar, a television actress now helping
the Profant organization, leads the way in remembering a pet through
a Profant Legacy Award. Caesar Shaar was the most unique of
those honored - he was a beautiful, talented and beloved Standard
Poodle. Now celebrated as an “Impresario”, Joyce
has contributed annual Legacy Awards.
Second Place - Daniel Jaffe
Judges’ Comments: A strong writer who demonstrated
a professional control of language, an ability to perceive the significant
in the ordinary, and masterful use of point of view, dialogue and narration
to develop a meaningful point.
First Place - the Wayne & Sharol Siemens Award - Karen Finell
Judges’ Comments: Ms.
Finell demonstrates a keen eye for development of situation, a promising
control of language, and the ability to evoke strong emotion.
The Legacy – Sharol and Wayne Siemens launched an award
through their support of the Fiesta Finale Gala which is designed to
build funds for local developing artists.
Music - Instrumental
Honorable Mention - Stefan Kinoshita
Judges’ Comments: a very
poised violinist who understands the music and plays with admirable
finesse and polish.
Honorable Mention - Filipp Kozachuk
Judges’ Comments: a dedicated, disciplined
pianist, with fabulous coordination who exhibited success at very
different styles.
Honorable Mention - Camille Miller
Judges’ Comments:
Camille plays the violin with temperament,
good energy to the tone, and nice
vibrato. She is quite talented
and will be a pleasant recitalist
to hear.
Honorable Mention - Isabelle D'Arcy
Judges’ Comments:
Isabelle
has
a
very
nice
touch on the piano, is quite dedicated and showed a wide range
of
types
of
music.
Honorable Mention - the David Shannon Award - Thomas
Yee
Judges’ Comments: Mr. Yee performed
very advanced works with ease. His current goals are clear
and well focused.
The Legacy – The Shannon Family launched an award honoring David – a
father who loved music - through their support of the Fiesta
Finale Gala.
Second Place
- the Dorothy Artaud Award – Philipp Richardsen
Judges’ Comments: Already a
seasoned artist, Philipp performed well-thought out interpretations
of his piano works.
The Legacy – Dorothy Profant Artaud, daughter of two pianists – Henry
and Mabel Profant, was a graduate of the Music Academy of the West,
became a protégé of Florence Fernald, performed at the
Lobero Theater, and continued playing until her death in November of
2006. She is remembered with this annual award, presented by
her daughter Lisa Artaud.
First Place - the Sean McGuire Award - Alan Poyer
Judges’ Comments: beautiful violin
playing, with incredible ease - a real talent. Good character
comes out in his demeanor and playing - he serves the music, not
himself.
The Legacy – Sean McGuire is honored by his mother Haley
for his love of music. Her generosity and support of developing
artists was recognized a few years ago with our Michelangelo Award,
Now celebrated as an “Impresario”, Haley has contributed
annual Legacy Awards.
Music – Vocal
Second Place - the Nina Terzian Award - Nikolaus Schiffmann
Judges’ Comments: this
is, indeed, a wonderful young bass voice - who possesses a rich,
warm tone and sings quite expressively.
The Legacy – Nina Terzian and Holley Jacobs have made
this award possible through their support of the Fiesta Finale Gala. As
Co-Chair of the event, Nina continues to bring friends as well as
the support of the Only Hearts Club – a doll company featuring
girls with real-life careers. Now celebrated as an “Impresario”,
Nina has contributed annual Legacy Awards.
First Place - the Adele Wilkie Award - Christina Ikeda
Judges’ Comments: this is an extraordinarily
beautiful young mezzo voice. She has a lovely sound and sings
with ease.
The Legacy -
The last time we saw Adele, she was conducting a performance, and
changing outfits for each song, from the business suit for New York
New York, to the bridal gown and then the Rhinestone Cowboy - she
brought joy to so many through the music she shared. Now celebrated
as an “Impresario”,
Adele’s daughter Bonnie has contributed annual Legacy Awards.
Visual Art
Special Gift - Joan Manchak
Ms. Manchak focuses on landscapes, florals
and seascapes, and this gift is for materials so that she may continue
her lovely painting.
Special Gift - Gail Brendle
A visual artist who shares her talents with others
by teaching art, at the same time balancing a full life of work and
family. This gift is to assist her in buying materials as she
continues to develop as an artist.
Honorable Mention - the Pauline Award - Kevin Hosseini
Judges’ Comments: an articulate
painter, Kevin has found his voice in his painting. His work
is expressive, mature, and compositionally masterful.
The Legacy – The
Pauline award is named for someone who turned down a career in art
in order to support her family, but who touched many lives by teaching
art and discovered talent amongst the handicapped as they discovered
joy in artistic accomplishments.
Honorable Mention - the Rose Award - Devon Wilson
Judges’ Comments: Mr. Wilson exhibits
great skill with clay that translates articulately to the human form. Your
work will indeed thrive under the watchful tutelage of the Great
Masters showcased in the Museums of Italy.
The Legacy – The Rose Award is named for a woman who didn't
start painting until she was 70. We know that sometimes life
gets in the way of our dreams, and these awards are designed to help
artists of all ages to pursue their talent.
Second Place - the Tasia de Halle Award – Brenda Mercado
Judges’ Comments: A talented artist
who’s work is on the precipice of finding a heartfelt voice – the
colors and landscapes are waiting to expand into surreal brilliance.
The Legacy – A young man was introduced to the work of
a well known artist by a friend named Tasia. He went on to collect
many paintings by this artist, some of which had been donated to our
organization and sold through the Fiesta Finale Auction. Now
celebrated as an “Impresario”, his generosity has made
this award, dedicated to his friend Tasia, possible.
First Place - the Abercrombie Award – Robert Gronendyke
Judges’ Comments: An artist who’s
work shows a glimpse into his multifaceted life story and is worthy
of exhibition as a retrospective. Robert – continue your
life’s passion and share your story with other young artists
who need to know that an artist’s journey is forever!
The Legacy – Katherine Abercrombie and her friend William Lane,
through their support of the Fiesta Finale, have dedicated this award. It
may not be widely known that Stewart Abercrombie was an artist – exploring
his talent late in life, and leaving only one painting. His tribute
at the Gala included a glimpse of the artwork, and a photo collage
of memories, but also launched this scholarship, and helped fill the
Sunken Garden with friends and contributors. Now celebrated
as an “Impresario”, Katherine has contributed greatly to
the Legacy Awards.
Special Projects Benefiting the Community
Karsen Lee Gould, Arts for Humanity!
Ms. Gould is a director/producer/choreographer who
runs a company that works with developmentally disadvantaged persons. The
company is very capable, organized and professional in it’s
presentation, and performs a notable service to the Santa Barbara
Community.
Cliff Baldridge, Santa Barbara Arts TV
Mr. Baldridge is truly devoted to promoting the arts community
of Santa Barbara - using all the technology at his disposal to ensure
that the performances of local artists are available to as wide an audience as
possible. This
grant is made to assist him in
purchasing new equipment to continue this endeavor.
Rosalina Macisco, Santa Barbara Dance Institute
A professional performer, Ms. Macisco has founded
an organization to share the joys of performance with the children of Santa
Barbara by bringing dance education to the schools. A
very well organized and structured program, her enthusiasm and infectious
energy brings out the best in students who have never experienced
such training.