Fox Valley Hall of Fame taking nominations
The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame is seeking nominations of outstanding artists for its 2012 Class of Inductees. Nominations can be submitted during the next two months, starting Sept. 1. Final deadline for nominations is Nov.1.
Anyone can submit a name for consideration, using the nomination form and guidelines approved by the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame board of directors. Artists previously recommended may be nominated again, but a new form is necessary. There is no fee required.
Every two years the Arts Hall of Fame gives public recognition to artists associated with the Fox Valley by birth, education, residence, or service, both those living and those deceased that have achieved international or national acclaim. Candidates should have completed 20 years in their professional field and received recognition for their excellence.
To date, 37 individuals representing the literary arts, media arts, performing arts and visual arts have been inducted. A fifth category is for an arts educator, director, curator, or benefactor. Plaques with the artists' images and a brief profile are displayed in the entry area of the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Detailed biographies may be read on the Arts Hall of Fame website at www.foxvalleyarts.org.
The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame was first organized in March of 2000. The inductees selected during the current round will be officially recognized at a banquet and gala awards ceremony held in their honor April 26, 2012, at Pipers Banquets, Aurora.
A copy of the nomination form can be downloaded from the Hall of Fame's website, www.foxvalleyarts.org. Those interested in nominating someone may also obtain a form from the group's Vice President of Selection, Susie Starrett, by calling (630) 492-0666. In addition, copies are available from the Advancement Office at Aurora University, or from members of the board of the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame. According to Starrett, “Our board members are typically impressed by both the number and the quality of the nominations submitted for this bi-annual honor.”
Twelve copies of the completed nomination should be forwarded to Aurora University, c/o Trudy Taylor, 347 S. Gladstone Ave., Aurora, IL, 60506, by Nov. 1. Documentation of achievements and honors should accompany the nomination whenever possible. Up to two items of materials that cannot be photocopied, i.e., books, CDs, etc., also may be submitted, but are not required. Supplementary items are not returned.
A Selection Committee composed of board members and professional experts from the community will meet in December to review all the materials submitted and choose the finalists. Those names are then submitted to the board for approval. The names of the Class of 2012 inductees will be announced at a new conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 20, 2012, at the Batavia Public Library.
The Arts Hall of Fame honors and showcases the work and performances of artists who have achieved extraordinary distinction. They can be honored living or posthumously and are inducted every two years. Since its inception, 37 individuals have been inducted.
In the odd-numbered years, to enhance the cultural legacy of the Fox Valley, the Arts Hall of Fame hosts an exhibit or sponsors a performance as part of its Founders Series. For 2011, the organization co-sponsored an exhibit from May 20 through Aug. 12 of 50 paintings by charter inductee Ruth Van Sickle Ford at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, Aurora. The show coincided with the publication of a biography about Ford by Nancy Smith Hopp, board member.
Currently, the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame officers are: Susan Starrett, president, North Aurora; Joyce Dlugopolski, vice president of public relations, Batavia; Murna Hansemann, vice president of events, Elgin; Susie Starrett, vice president of selection, North Aurora; Kathy Matthews, vice president of development, St. Charles; Dr. James Mamminga, treasurer, Aurora; and Nancy Hopp, secretary, Aurora. Board members are Gibby Monokoski of Geneva, Stu Ainsworth of St. Charles, Karen Pedersen of Batavia, Joanna Wester of Pingree Grove, and Richard Westphal, John Jaros and Roger Parolini, all of Aurora.