A closer look at the nominees for Tribute of the Muses, Helios awards

17TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE OF THE MUSES NOMINEES Ty Cook

Ty Cook has been an avid photographer and artist in Yuma for over a decade. Cook specializes in panoramic landscapes and is known for his expansive images of the night sky, iconic images of the Ocean to Ocean Bridge, and the Southwest’s diverse scenery. He can be spotted at every visual art event in Yuma and has participated in nearly every ARTbeat, Art in the Park, and North End Art Walk to date. Having been selected for various juried and group shows over the years, he presented his first solo exhibition in 2016 at the Yuma Art Center and is currently a featured artist in Art Heals at the Yuma Regional Medical Center’s Cancer Center.

Kimberly Dickerson

Kimberly Dickerson is an accomplished artist of many forms who believes art has a way of healing the spirit. She can be found as a wedding and portrait photographer, but also is a commissioned painter known for her animal portraits. Most recently, Dickerson co-opened the Littlewood Fine Art and Community Co-Op, where she teaches painting, drawing, photography and mixed media classes as well as private lessons.

Beth Donahue

Beth Donahue was a well-known pianist and organist at several churches throughout Yuma for over 45 years. Alongside fellow musician, Sharon Acord, she created the Church Musician Group which brought area musicians together to help fulfill various churches’ musical needs. Donahue was also a member of the Yuma Musicians Association and was an elementary school teacher for Crane School District and Wichita Public Schools, in Wichita, KS. She passed away on July 5, 2017 in Yuma.

Myriah Farrar

Myriah Farrar has been dancing since the age of 2, and dance has become not just a hobby, but a source of income, security, exercise, way of communication, and ultimately her way of life. Farrar has taught at various dance studios in Yuma over the last 20 years, but started JAMS (Jazz, Acro, Modern, Students), a competitive dance company in 2004. Later, she reopened Dancers Workshop, where she learned to dance and where her mother, Linda (2005 Tribute of the Muses Recipient) was a dance instructor.

Mark Flint

Mark Flint has been performing professionally since 1982 when he received a music scholarship to Arizona Western College. Having toured with four bands, he is widely known as a member of Checker’d Past which has performed over 600 shows, many in the Historic Yuma Theatre. As an educator he taught elementary music and band at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Dateland Elementary School and Juniper Tree Academy, and continues to teach guitar, bass, and drum lessons. Flint can also be found behind the camera where he has worked as a commercial videographer and as a sound designer composing original scores and jingles.

Jim and Desiree Foster

Jim and Desiree Foster had a vision to create the Two Rivers Renaissance Faire in Yuma, which since its inception has offered over 100 live performances in the past 11 years. Each year, the Fosters have created the Village of Tamsynbrooke for unique performances which have included the Kofa High School Madrigal Choir, Banat Tabla’s belly dance troupe, local musicians and area actors. Featuring sword fighters, magicians, minstrels, dancers and Shakespearean actors, the Faire has provided numerous opportunities for local performers and annually brings acts and visitors from across the nation.

Steven Hennig

Steven Hennig has been the driving force behind the jazz music scene in Yuma for over 15 years. He has organized jazz concert series for Jazz Nights at Julieanna’s at Julieanna’s Café, the Lutes Summer Jazz Series at Lutes Casino, and the Village Jazz Series at Yuma Palms Regional Center. He is widely known for performing in the Yuma Jazz Company and has performed with the Yuma Civic Orchestra and Community Band. In the community, he has served on the Yuma Civic Orchestra’s board of directors and as the Business Manager of Ballet Yuma. He is currently the Development Coordinator for Yuma’s public radio station, KAWC.

Joanne Kidd

Joanne Kidd is a key member of Yuma Community Theater and serves as the organization’s treasurer, webpage manager, and is a member of the building committee — all in addition to directing productions. Kidd serves as YCT’s representative to the Yuma Area Non-Profit Institute and the Arizona Association of Community Theaters. Her volunteer work for YCT transcends her commitment as she is passionate about keeping the arts thriving in Yuma. Kidd is currently Food Safety Coordinator for Mellon Farms, is an avid reader, self-proclaimed computer geek, and amateur photographer.

Lia Littlewood and Isaac Russell

Lia Littlewood and Isaac Russell both individually and collectively exude a passion for the arts that cannot be ignored. Most recently they, along with friends and family, opened the Littlewood Fine Art and Community Co-Op and launched their non-profit, Love Tree Farm. Littlewood’s murals can be seen throughout Yuma, and she currently serves on the Public Art Committee. She was the inaugural Helios Award recipient in 2008. Russell formerly served as the chair of the City of Yuma’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission and currently represents Yuma in the statewide Arizona Creative Communities Institute.

Zarmineh Moody

Zarmineh Moody was born and raised in Esfahan, Iran, and was exposed to dance and music at a young age. As a belly dancer, she has been performing and teaching in Yuma for over 20 years. She can frequently be found sharing her passion for dance at community events, retirement and assisted living homes, and at Yuma County libraries. Her dedication to the community expands beyond the arts as she regularly volunteers at the Crossroad Mission, rings bells for the Salvation Army, and is a member of the Yuma Animal Defenders Group.

Lynn Morgan

Lynn Morgan is a member of Mountain Shadows Artists Association and Desert Artists, and is the superintendent for the Yuma County Fair Fine Arts Building. An accomplished watercolor and pastel artist, she is a self-taught artist inspired by the old masters. Morgan lives and creates art in her studio in Wellton, where she is currently working as a member of a formation committee to start and artisans guild in the area. As an avid traveler, she always has a camera in hand to capture scenes which will then be edited, sketched, and then painted in her studio.

Lori Stofft and Michael Miller

Lori Stofft and Michael Miller started the film series Thursdays at the Theatre in 2003 as a partnership between the Yuma Sun, Arizona Western College and the Yuma Art Center’s Historic Yuma Theatre. The series has evolved and now coincides with AWC’s Introduction to Film Studies course, which offers a unique community learning experience. In addition to teaching the film course, Miller has taught creative writing, journalism and English, and advises the AWC campus journalism project: AzWesternVoice.org. Stofft plays fiddle and sings in local musical groups, including the Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings.

George Tomkins

George Tomkins came to Yuma in 1971 to teach at Arizona Western College as the first Artist in Residence under the National Endowment for the Arts Artists and Critics in Residence and Arizona Commission on the Arts program. He taught ceramics and art history for 33 years as a fulltime professor, and for another five as an adjunct. Along with teaching, he has volunteered with Yuma Fine Arts Association, Arizona Scholastics Art Awards and continues to be an advocate for the arts. Tomkins formerly served as the chairperson of the City of Yuma’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission. Tomkins and his wife and fellow artist, Neely (2008 Tribute of the Muses Recipient), own Tomkins Pottery.

8TH ANNUAL HELIOS AWARD NOMINEES 2017 Nathan Downing

Nathan Downing is a visual artist born and raised in Yuma. With no formal training in the arts, he picked up a pencil in 2010 and has not looked back. Downing is active in the community and can be found volunteering or donating art supplies to area schools or participating in area festivals. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, his drawings and paintings showcase his ability for intricate details and technical mastery. He received ARTbeat’s Rising Star Award in 2016 and was nominated for the Helios Award in 2016.

Michelle Greco

Michelle Greco has been interested in the arts her entire life, but only recently took on the title of artist. As a victim of domestic violence and a survivor of many traumas, the arts have continued to be a grounding force and positive outlet in her life. Now in recovery, Greco has become an active member of Yuma’s arts community and over the past year has participated in projects with the Littlewood Fine Arts and Community Co-op, the Yuma County Fair and the Public Art Committee’s Batter Up project. She has also collaborated with PSA Art Awakenings and currently has work on display in a state-wide tour which supports suicide awareness. Her goal is to continue to grow and serve as a voice for survivors, break stigmas and to help others heal and find their voice through the arts.

Jason Irr

Jason Irr is a veteran of the Yuma theater scene having performed in over 20 plays throughout the community, including “Seussical” and “Hairspray” with Gila Ridge High School, “The King and I” and “The Mousetrap” with Yuma Community Theater, and various productions with Desert Point Productions and the Yuma Art Center’s Infinite Imagination Youth Theatre Program. Irr can also be found onstage with the Gila Ridge Performing Choir and “In Tone Nation” A Capella Competition choir. He is an International Honor Thespian as recognized by the International Thespian Society and takes voice training from Wendy Turner.

Stefanie Littlewood

Stefanie Littlewood is a painter, musician and instructor. Alongside friends and family, she recently played an integral role in opening the Littlewood Fine Arts and Community Co-Op. Having recently moved back to Yuma after serving in the U.S. Air Force, she is passionate about providing arts opportunities for veterans and active duty servicemen and women. She can also be found donating art for various community fundraisers and teaching art classes to all ages at the Co-op.

Cari Jean Nelson

Cari Jean Nelson hails from a small town in Kansas, where she graduated from Bethany College. Since January of 2015 she has taught ceramics at Kofa High School and has worked tirelessly to promote visual arts throughout Yuma. She is currently the Co-President of the Yuma Area Art Education Association which raises money for college scholarships for high school students. At Kofa High School she designed and facilitated a mural project using grant funds awarded by Mountain Shadows Artists Association. Nelson currently represents Yuma in the statewide Arizona Creative Communities Institute.

Emma Stewart

Emma Stewart is a senior at Cibola High School who is active in the theatre department, and served as stage manager and assistant director for several productions under the instruction of John Titensor. She is currently the Drama Club president and is a recent alumnus of Arizona Girl State. Stewart will graduate in the top 20 of her class, is a member of Cibola’s National Honor Society, and is active in various community service projects.