Governor’s Arts Awards
Established in 1982, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize excellence in the arts and outstanding service to the arts in Wyoming. These awards were first made possible by an endowment from the Union Pacific Foundation in honor of Mrs. John U. Loomis, a lifelong patron of the arts. Over the years, individuals and organizations from more than 25 Wyoming communities and statewide organizations have been honored for their dedication to the arts in Wyoming.
The 2021 Governor’s Arts Awards nomination process has closed and will open again in July 2022.
Nomination Criteria:
Any Wyoming citizen, organization, business or community may be nominated for a Governor’s Art Award. Noted accomplishments should reflect substantial contributions, made in Wyoming, that exemplify a long-term commitment to the arts. Special consideration will be given to nominees whose arts service is statewide. Previous GAA recipients are not eligible for nomination, but the nomination of previously unselected nominees is encouraged. Current Wyoming Arts Council board members, staff members, contractors and members of their families are not eligible for nomination. Full GAA nomination criteria can be found here.
2020 Governor’s Arts Award Recipients
Dr. Valerie Innella Maiers, Arts Educator & Scholar from Casper;
John and Nancy Schiffer, Arts Patrons from Kaycee;
Margaret Wilson, Dancer & Arts Educator from Laramie;
Sue Simpson Gallagher, Curator & Arts Advocate from Cody.
From left to right: Nancy Schiffer, Jennie Gordon, Governor Gordon, Sue Simpson Gallagher, and Valerie Innella Maiers. Not pictured: Margaret Wilson.
Due to COVID-19 the Wyoming Arts Council will honor the 2020 recipients in 2022.
List of Governor’s Arts Award recipients, 1982-2019
2019
Wendy Bredehoft, Laramie | Jim Jackson, Sheridan| Robert Martinez, Riverton | WYO Theater, Sheridan | Wyoming Music Educators Association
2018
Elaine Henry, Big Horn | Karyne Dunbar, Shell |Keith Seidel, Cody | Marsha Knight, Laramie
2017
Art 321/Casper Artists Guild, Casper | Susan Moldenhauer, Laramie | Leslie O’Hashi, Cheyenne | Dr. Patrick Patton, Casper
2016
Forrest Mars Jr., Big Horn (Posthumous) | Marianne Vinich, Lander | Adam Duncan Harris, Jackson | Tim Sandlin, Jackson
2015
Cedric Reverand and Paul Taylor, Laramie | Chris Navarro and Brian Scott Gamroth, Casper | Sarah Rogers, Sundance | Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, Thermopolis
2014
Tom Lucas, Dubois | Zachary Pullen, Casper | Jim Wilcox, Jackson
2013
Guadalupe Barajas, Cheyenne | Babs Case, Jackson | Bar J Wranglers , Wilson | Bruce Richardson, Casper |Norma Sturges, Casper
2012
AVA Community Art Center, Gillette | Jalan Crossland, Ten Sleep | Lynn Munns, Casper
2011
Eagle Bronze Foundry, Lander | Michael C. Poulsen, Cody | Dr. Seymour Thickman, Sheridan | PALS: Promoting Arts in Lander Schools, Lander
2010
Bradford Brinton Memorial & Museum, Big Horn | Michael Masterson, Powell | Stage III Community Theatre, Casper | pARTners, Jackson | Nancy Curtis, Glendo
2009
Don Butler, Sheridan | Duane Evenson, Gillette | Naoma J. Tate, Cody | Louise Wesswick, Rock Springs | Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre
2008
Park County Arts Council, Cody | Jerry Palen, Saratoga | Diane Springford, Lander Tandem Productions, Sheridan
2007
Lander Community Concerts Association | Neil Hansen, Powell | Mike McClure, Lander | Tucker Smith, Pinedale
2006
Candra Day, Jackson | Razmick Sarkissian, Sheridan | Barbara Smith, Rock Springs | Creative Arts Program, Ark Regional Services, Laramie
2005
William Missouri Downs, Laramie | Neltje, Banner | Oyster Ridge Music Festival, Kemmerer | Ucross Foundation Residency Program, Clearmont
2004
All City Children’s Chorus, Cheyenne | Gaydell Collier, Sundance | Dr. Jane Leland Iverson, Cheyenne | Holly Turner, Casper
2003
Art Association, Jackson | Casper Children’s Chorale | Rod Garnett, Laramie | Susie & Mick McMurry, Casper
2002
Jo Crandall, Pinedale | John S. Giarrizzo, Powell | The Honorable Stanley K. and Mrs. Roberta “Bobby” Hathaway, Cheyenne
2001
Arts in Action, Riverton | Dr. Sloan and Anna Marie Hales, Cheyenne | The National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson | Ronald Steger, Laramie
2000
Dancers Workshop, Jackson | Sara Wiles, Lander | Lynne Livingston Simpson, Laramie
1999
Susie Dowler, Gillette | David Romtvedt, Buffalo | Dr. Patricia Tate, Laramie
Wind River Artists Guild & Headwaters Community Arts and Conference Center – Dubois
1998
Janet Ahlquist, Casper | Earl Sams Lightner, Jackson | Sophie Pelissier, Sheridan | Sublette County Artists Guild, Pinedale
1997
Hands in Harmony, Cheyenne | Tom Empey, Casper | Joffa and Bill Kerr, Jackson | Platte Valley Arts Council, Saratoga
1996
David B. Anderson, Douglas | Elizabeth Guheen, Clearmont | D. Michael Thomas, Buffalo
1995
Jo Campbell, Gillette | Jackson State Bank | Bud Boller, Dubois | Wyoming Writers, Inc.
1994
Buffalo Bill Center of the West (previously Buffalo Bill Historical Center), Cody | Dr. Gladys Crane, Laramie | Margaret Peck, Riverton | Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne
1993
Ronnie Bedford, Powell | Jean Paulene Goedicke, Casper | Margaret Small Mains, Laramie | Washakie County Museum and Cultural Center, Worland
1992
William D. Weiss, Teton Village | ARTCORE, Casper | Wyoming Secondary Art Educators Association
1991
Margery Barber, Lander | William Dubois, Cheyenne | Albany County Elementary Art Program, Laramie | Key Bank of Wyoming, Cheyenne
1990
Grand Teton Music Festival, Teton Village | Harry Jackson, Cody | Eva McAdams, Fort Washakie | Wayne McIntire, Casper
1989
Peter H. Hassrick, Cody | Donald L. King, Sheridan | Ann Simpson, Cody | Cheyenne Little Theater Players
1988
Margaret Coe, Cody | George Hufsmith, Jackson | Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper | Powder River Arts Council, Gillette
1987
Mary Back, Dubois | Mountain Bell Foundation, Cheyenne | James Boyle, Laramie | Arts Edition, Casper Star Tribune
1986
Gertrude Krampert, Casper | Elizabeth (Betsy) Taggart, Cheyenne | University of Wyoming Art Mobile, Laramie | Western Arts Trio, Laramie
1985
Symphony and Chorale Society of Cheyenne | James T. Forrest, Laramie | Harmon Watt, Riverton | KUWR Wyoming Public Radio, Laramie
1984
Casper Symphony Assocation | Rock Springs/Sweetwater County | Pamela McCool – Jackson | Stagehands of Cheyenne
1983
Union Pacific Foundation, Cheyenne | Pinedale Fine Arts Council | Charles Levendosky, Casper
1982
Unicover Corporation, Cheyenne | Fine Arts Council of Saratoga | Historical and Cultural Association | Tonia Burnette, Riverton
Contact: Brittany Howell
