From the press release:
40 North | 88 West proudly announces the winners of the 2013 ACE (Arts, Culture, and Education) Awards. All seven ACE Award winners embody the spirit of the local arts community with their passion, energy, and dedication to the creative culture of Champaign County. Please join us on Thursday, October 17th, 5:30pm at the Canopy Club in honoring their outstanding contributions!
The winners of the 2013 ACE Awards are:
Advocate ACE Award – Kathleen Harleman, director of the Krannert Art Museum,for bringing new vigor and excitement not only to campus but to the community as a whole with an atmosphere of inclusivity and an unprecedented diversity of exhibitions.
Artist ACE Award – Steve Hudson, for his powerful and impactful paintings that go beyond the expected and present the audience with issues of humanity that are left open for interpretation.
Volunteer ACE Award – Leonard Doyle for demonstrating his unwavering commitment and steadfast devotion to the Virginia Theatre by contributing literally thousands of hours over the course of his 65 years of service.
Business ACE Award – The I.D.E.A. Store for benefiting artists, art teachers, art students, and the entire Champaign-Urbana community with its innovation in, and promotion of, reuse art materials and creative ideas for their re-use.
Teacher ACE Award – Chris Berti, Associate Professor of Art & Design at Parkland College, for his infectious energy, depth of knowledge, and outstanding ability to impact, encourage, and transform his students while at the same time demonstrating passionate commitment to the arts of this community and his own studio practice.
Student ACE Award – Emily Denis, UIUC Masters Candidate in Art Education, for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to community involvement and social justice oriented art curriculum by taking on many additional endeavors above and beyond her course work.
Lifetime ACE Award – Donnie Heitler, for his limitless talent and life-long dedication to his practice as well his profound impact on countless musicians as well as the community as a whole.
The winners were chosen from public nominations by an independent panel of community-based judges representing a broad cross-section of Champaign County. Special thanks to our 2013 panel of ACE judges for taking the time to discuss all of the fabulous ACE nominations and making the tough choices: Patrick Earl Hammie, LaDonna Wilson, Sanford Hess, and Carly McCrory.