The Brighton Cultural Arts Commission is pleased to announce its 2024 Excellence in Arts Awards. Because of Brighton’s vibrant and growing cultural arts community, the Commission created the awards to celebrate individuals and groups within Brighton who are cultural arts champions. These champions will be recognized with the Excellence in Arts Awards at a special event on October 10, 2024 at Eagle View Adult Center, 1150 Prairie View Parkway. Entertainment and a dessert bar will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 7:00. This celebration is open to the public, and we encourage you to come and enjoy the event. If you plan to attend, please, rsvp by October 3 to joankniss@aol.com. Following are this year’s honorees.
Master of Performing Arts – Platte Valley Players. (This category is open to individuals or groups who are filmmakers, dancers, actors/actresses, directors, or musicians.) Platte Valley Players (PVP) is an absolute gem of a theater company representing the best talent in the Denver Metro area. PVP stages two to three adult/professional productions per year, as well as several children’s shows and educational camps. Every year PVP is nominated for Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards and has won several awards. Many of Denver’s most recognizable and award-winning actors come to Brighton to participate in this company’s productions. Their shows offer audiences a wide range of theatrical experiences ranging from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Man of La Mancha,” and currently “Cabaret.” PVP also interfaces with the community at large by hiring musicians from local schools and community orchestras, hiring residents of Brighton to work at the company, and holding community events with free theatre. Platte Valley Players is a true asset to the community.
Other nominees were Kristina Bobrowski, Ellie Opp, Leslie Zirker, and Kelly Van Osbree (who was honored in 2019).
Master of Literary Arts – Robin Kring About the Author or Clear Creek Publishing About the Author. (This category is open to writers of various genres). One never knows what Robin might be up to. She might be writing about Brighton in her role as Brighton’s History Detective; she might be in full costume assuming the role of an historic character in the Cemetery Walk; she might be presenting to an audience at a museum or the Independent Bankers Association. Robin shares her writing skills with many in a variety of settings. Robin has had ten books published ranging from books on Brighton such as A Stroll through Elmwood and Brighton’s Sugar Sweet Times, books on party planning which were used as a textbook supplement in George Washington University’s Professional Certificate in Event Management program. Two of her most recent projects have been the online descriptions of the mural at Founders Plaza and the Women of Inspiration mural. These descriptions provide detailed, well researched vignettes of the influencers who have shaped Brighton into what it is today, connecting young people to our past and helping support generational wisdom. Volunteering in the city is also an important part of Robin’s life. She volunteers at the City of Brighton Museum and the Ft. Lupton Museum and has been a team leader of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places. She has served on the Brighton Historic Preservation Commission, Brighton Cultural Arts Commission, Brighton Cultural Strategic Plan Team, Friends of the Brighton Library and Art After Hours Fund-Raising at the Denver Art Museum. Robin truly fits the title of Master of Literary Arts.
Kyra Arnold was also nominated.
Master of Arts in Education- Leslie Zirker. (This category is open to an educator who has offered some form of creative arts to the youth within our community.) Leslie has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a love of theatre arts in children. Under her visionary leadership My Time to Shine’s Children’s Theatre and Platte Valley Players Children’s Theatre have flourished and provided countless young performers with opportunities to develop their skills, gain confidence, and experience the transformative power of theatre. In the summer of 2024, Leslie engaged over 90 children from ages 3-17 in her My Time to Shine Theatre Camp. These children had the opportunity to work on their performing skills and presented two performances to their families and friends. Since 2012 at the Armory she has been the executive director of and has helped produce, choreograph, costume and direct over 20 shows including sold out “Moana” and “Jungle Book.” Thank you, Leslie for your commitment to our youth.
Other nominees were Kelly Beach and Erin Knoettgen-Nap, Nathan Shaver and Elizabeth Castor, and Frank Pryor.
Volunteer – Lindy Olson. (This category is open to an individual who has devoted time, talent and service to enhance the cultural experience in Brighton.) Lindy showed up on the Brighton arts scene running. She has been an inspiration and contributing member to Main Street Creatives and Brighton Cultural Arts as well as sharing her artwork on Instagram and Facebook. She is always thinking about ways to make the art scene stand out. For instance, she had the idea to make the Art Heals the Heart community quilt an interactive piece where the contributors were interviewed and then linked their videos to QR codes so the community could learn about the artists. Lindy also helped with Brighton’s first Literary Circus which brought a different audience to the gallery. Lindy not only comes up with “out of the box” ideas, but she is also willing to put in the work to get the projects completed. Lindy volunteers to help with events by creating the what, where, how and why then acts to make things happen.
Other nominees were Jamie Zerr-Lockwood and Diane DeVries.
Beyond Brighton – Kary Mayes. (This category is open to an individual, group or business from outside our community who has strengthened our community’s cultural arts.) Kary received many nominations because of her hard work and organization. As a member of Main Street Creatives, she has organized two arts shows this year bringing together artists, art enthusiasts and community members. Kary monitors the Main Street Gallery web presence and coordinates with the website designer to make updates and changes. She distributes weekly news to the community about upcoming events and classes and instituted upgrades to the Gallery. Kary has entered many national and regional art shows with her oil paintings and her watercolors. She is a designer by trade which shows in her beautiful compositions. Kary is an active participant in the art community at Heritage Todd Creek in Thornton, a juried member of Paletteers Art Club in Westminster, and a studio artist with Main Street Gallery.
Other nominees were Sandie Mackenzie, Victoria Holloway and Kelly Van Osbree.
Visionary – Gary Montoya. (This category is open to an individual, group or business who has been a leader in the Brighton cultural arts scene.) Gary Montoya’s official title is Events and Downtown Initiative Manager; however, he truly exemplifies the term “visionary.” When Brighton Urban Renewal Authority renovated the old Armory into a Cultural Arts Center, Gary took on the responsibility to bring it to life. Working with a small staff he has been the leader and has filled the Armory with music, plays, dancers, speakers, art and celebrations for all ages. In addition to his work at the Armory, Gary has focused on family friendly events throughout the town. During the summer the Flix and Kicks movies and concerts bring families together to listen to music and to watch popular movies. Summerfest, a celebration of all that is Brighton, offers games, informational booths, music and food. Touch a Truck is a huge event which allows young children to get up close to heavy equipment and first responder vehicles. And then in December the Festival of Lights events and parade bring hundreds into the downtown area. It is truly a Christmas season favorite. As one can see, Gary has a vision for Brighton: to make it the cultural center of the north metro area.
Other nominees were Tim and Claudia Ferrell with Berry Patch Farm, Lindy Olson, Natalie Beck.
Master of Visual Arts – Sharon Krohn. (This category is open to photographers, painters, potters, sculptors and jewelry designers.) Sharon Krohn was a painter practically her entire life. It was a passion, a love, and a talent she possessed. Sharon painted in a variety of mediums, but her favorite was watercolor. She painted florals to scenery, to portraits, to holiday themes. She brought life to each. Sharon also taught painting to adults for over 25 years. She had the skills to not only talk about what to do but also the skills to break down the steps involved so that the students experienced success. Some artists create and share their work with others; Sharon created and shared her knowledge and skills with others. Sharon epitomized the art scene in Brighton, and she will be missed.
Other nominees were Sandie Mackenzie, Zach Reece, Natalie Beck, Terry Hagen.