40 North | 88 West: Champaign County Arts, Culture and Entertainment Council
Art is here. See it. Create it. Support it. Watch how it helps our community grow.




2007 ACE WINNERS |  sponsors | award categories  
2006 ace award winners | 2005 ace award winners
national arts and humanities month


40 North Announces Winners of the
2006 ACE Awards

40 North | 88 West – Champaign County’s Arts, Culture & Entertainment Council - is proud to present the winners of its 2006 ACE Awards to celebrate and recognize outstanding contributions to the cultural life of Champaign County.


The winners were announced and the awards given out at a special event held Thursday evening, October 19, 2006, in downtown Champaign's Soma Ultralounge as part of a month long celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month. Acclaimed actress and educator Mindy Manolakes hosted the proceedings before a standing-room-only crowd. Click here for an image of Andy Warfel's designed environment, Soma Ultralounge, Champaign.


SLIDE SHOW
Click one of the following links to view an ACE Award 2006 slide show:



The following individuals took home an ACE Award in these categories:

EDUCATION: DR. WILLIAM PATTERSON
Dr. Patterson currently serves as Associate Director of the African-American Studies & Research Program at the University of Illinois where his work focuses on linking higher education institutions with public schools, corporations and social service organizations.  He is investigating the development of the Center for the Study of Hip Hop Culture , a research, teaching, and service learning initiative.  He is a leader in the fight to engage young people in this community through the arts.  He is the creator of many important programs such as Rhyme Clinic, All Girlz Radio, SPEAK Cafe and has used all media, including film, to help young people document their stories. 



MEDIA: WEFT
WEFT 90.1FM has been broadcasting to listeners of East Central Illinois since September 25, 1981.  Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, this non-commercial, non-profit, listener-supported and volunteer operated radio station, has always held a firm commitment to showcasing a wide array of cultural arts programming.  WEFT hosts spoken word, radio theatre, local music sessions, in addition to music across the global spectrum and it airs PSA’s and features about arts-related endeavors.  For 25 years it has served as a true cultural resource for its listeners.



ARTS PARTNER: JANET SOESBE
Janet has served as Community Program Coordinator for the Urbana Park District for more than 11 years.  Through this position, Janet has provided countless opportunities for residents to participate in arts-related programs and activities.  She started the Urbana Park District’s Summer Arts Camp, and she has been the lead staff for the Summer Special Events and organizes the UPD’s Dance programs.  She annually produces the Youth Summer Theatre Program, which involves hundreds of children in a musical theater experience. 



BUSINESS: MAIN STREET BANK AND TRUST
Main Street Bank has made significant contributions to the arts in Champaign County, both in terms of financial resources and also through employees’ time and energies.  The bank has steadily increased its contributions to arts organizations each year and now strongly believes in the value of a vibrant arts community in the counties in which it does business.  The bank has encouraged its employees to be involved in the arts locally and has fostered a supportive environment for the arts at the office.  For example, the bank is currently developing a pilot program whereby rotating works of art by independent artists would be on display in the bank’s 4th floor conference room.



COMMUNITY ADVOCATE: JENNY SOUTHLYNN
Jenny Southlynn has been an editor, teacher, painter and arts advocate in Champaign County for over 30 years.  She has been the Arts and Entertainment publisher for four print publications and one on-line publication.  Her accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but a few highlights include developing the Boneyard Arts Festival, coordinating the Call to Arts Open Critique and advocating for the arts through her involvement with numerous organizations and media.



CREATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE: ANDY WARFEL
Andy Warfel’s professional resume is impressive indeed.  He has designed television shows, product launches, press events and major concert tours across the country and abroad.  He has designed shows for the New York Stage both Off-Off , Off and On Broadway, and has created permanent installations for some of the biggest names in corporate America.  We are so lucky that Andy and his family relocated to Champaign County for locally his presence has been felt as well.  Andy has volunteered or donated his time and services to such organizations as 40 North, One Main Development, the C-U Ballet, the Station Theatre and many more.  Andy is always passionate and willing to give of his time, energy and creativity to the arts in Champaign County.



LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: RICK ORR
In addition to the artistic beauty that Rick brings to Champaign County in his role as owner of Rick Orr Florists, he has tirelessly produced and directed at the Station Theatre, often under extremely humbling circumstances.  Rick has fostered a true company atmosphere at the Station yielding some memorable highlights such as Mark Robert’s world premiere of “Welcome to Tolono.”   Rick has expended enormous effort to provide a venue for challenging and thought-provoking theatre.



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The stunningly sculptural awards, designed by Andy Warfel, were built by ID3 in Atlanta of polished clear acrylic and digitally-routed aluminum plate, and featured hand-hewn finishing by ID3.  Soma's nightclub environment was transformed for the event by Andy Warfel. Samantha Oare contributed her talents as sound designer and engineer.



ADJUDICATORS
The panel of judges who selected the winners was also revealed at the event:

Marcia Chicoine – community advocate

Panagiota Comet – community advocate

Cope Cumpston – University of Illinois Press

Anne Dill – WCIA Channel 3 News

Jesse Knox – visual artist

Jeff Mellander – Precision Graphics

Eric Robeson – Robeson’s, Inc.




40 North Board President, Heather Smith, welcomed the crowd and explained the importance of having an event to recognize those who contribute to health and vitality of the arts in Champaign County.

Jennifer Armstrong, 40 North Executive Director, closed the ceremony by sharing with the audience, “Collectively, it is our responsibility to ensure the arts have a strong and vibrant life now and in the future of Champaign County.  That everyone has access to what art can bring to our lives.  That all forms of creative expression are promoted and cherished for their own unique contribution to life.” 

(Follow this link to read the full text of Executive Director Armstrong's remarks.)




Title sponsor of the event was:

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Additional support was provided by:



Special thanks also goes to:
Anonymous
Dean's Graphics Division
Precision Graphics
Regions Bank
Royal Properties
Urbana Public Television




40 North's board of directors, its staff, committee members and volunteers extend their heartfelt congratulations to all of the 2006 ACE Award winners and nominees. With the contributions of individuals and institutions like these, art lives here, in Champaign County.




Resources and logos:

National Arts and Humanities Month
http://ww3.artsusa.org/get_involved/visibility/visibility_002.asp


Illinois Arts Week
http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/artsweek/Artsweek05.pdf