Governor’s Arts Awards: Joy, humor, enduring respect
By Cinda Holt
The Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony took place the second Friday in December and was filled with holiday good cheer. As people arrived from all around the state they were greeted by a string trio performing beautiful music in the Old Supreme Court Chambers at the Capitol, courtesy of Helena Symphony’s musicians Stephen Cepeda, Garion Holian and Linda Kuhn. (put picture near here of them)
It was great to see so many past award recipients who came to honor the new inductees, including “dueling cowboy poets” Wally McRae and Paul Zarzyski. In attendance were Dana Boussard, Corky Clairmont, Debra Magpie Earling, Judy Ericksen, William Kittredge, Tom McGuane, Laura Millin (Missoula Art Museum), David Nelson, Rick Newby, Larry Williams, M.J. Williams and Pat Williams. Over the 20 years that I have been producing this ceremony, I am reminded that it is a remarkable community of world-class talent that gathers together to celebrate each other. We are a lucky state.
After remarks from Tatiana Gant, Corky Clairmont and Lt. Governor Mike Cooney, the six honorees’ nominators made their introductions: Tom McGuane for Rick Bass, John Keegan for Monte Dolack, Arni Fishbaugh for Jackie Parsons, Laura Millin for Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Abigail Hornik for Kevin Red Star and Robert Stubblefield for Annick Smith.
This was a cheerful crowd and right off the bat Rick Bass brought down the house when he opened his remarks with, “It’s so nice to be here. The last time I was in this building I was in handcuffs.” Pat Williams was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to fall off his chair.
In addition to the joy and humor of the ceremony, there was also enduring respect and acknowledgment between the honorees of how grateful they were to be counted among that group of six people. Annick finished up the honorees’ remarks in her Hungarian Jewish native tongue with “kezét csókolom” – “I kiss your hand.”
Montana and its magnificent landscape was also a presence during the ceremony. Every honoree took a moment to express their connection to the land, its power and impact, and the creativity that comes from it. I’m sure everyone felt the way I did while listening to these honorees – that is, really grateful to live here.
Governor’s Arts Awards recipients nominators, ceremony speakers and Montana Arts Council members. Front row (left to right): Honorees Rick Bass, Monte Dolack Jackie Parsons, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Kevin Red Star and Annick Smith. Back row: Corky Clairmont, Cinda Holt, Liz Albers, Larry Williams, Lynne Montague, Mark Kuipers, Jean Steele, Tatiana Gant, Sean Falcon Chandler, Lt. Gov Mike Cooney, Tom Cordingley, JP Gabriel, Jay Pyette, Robert Stubblefield, Laura Millin, Anne Appleby, Arlene Parisot, Tom McGuane, Tracy Linder, Arni Fishbaugh, John Keegan, GB Carson and Renée Westlake.
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