March 28, 2024
Local News | Bureau County Republican


Local News

OmniArts accepting nominations now for Omni Honors Awards 2018

Nomination deadline set for Nov. 24

OmniArts, an organization dedicated to supporting local artists and art organizations, is seeking nominations from the community for its third annual Omni Honors Awards Gala in April 2018.

“The Omni Honors Awards Gala is a celebration of the finest in local music, dance, theatre, patrons and visual arts in April,” Bill Jankowski, executive director of OmniArts, said, “but the selection process begins now.”

The gala will feature an awards ceremony with live performances.

“This is one event anyone who values art, music, drama and dance in our local communities should not miss,” Jankowski said. “It will be a very memorable day for all.”

“This year, we are accepting nominees, living and deceased, for consideration. There is too much history of artistic excellence in our region to ignore our past,” Jankowski added.

“They deserve to be honored for establishing our culture and enhancing our way of life, too.”

Past Omni Honors Award recipients are:

Visual Arts Award of Excellence — Tim Trumbo, painter, muralist, educator, Ottawa; Laurie Ragan, painter, muralist, Ottawa; Tom Sistak, photographer, Ottawa; and David Raccuglia, photographer, LaSalle.

Drama Award of Excellence — Mary Morgan, actor, director, educator, Ottawa; Greg Tullis, actor, director, producer, Streator; and Joe Ennenbach, actor, director, LaSalle.

Music Award of Excellence — Gene Montgomery, musician and educator, Oglesby; John Armstrong, musician, conductor, Utica; and Michael Pecherek, musician, conductor, educator, LaSalle.

OmniArtist Award of Excellence (multi-talented artist) — Steve Stout, journalist, photographer, actor, Utica; and Ron McCutchan, actor, director, musician, artist, Princeton.

Dance Award of Excellence — Patty Gray, Gray's School of Dance, Ottawa; and Donna Mueller, Donna Mueller's School of Dance, Morris.

Life Time Achievement Award of Excellence — Roger Amm, 35 years, Ottawa Township High School Music, Ottawa; Evelyn Brue Roeder, 70-plus years, teacher, Evelyn Brue Guitar School, Ottawa; Robert D. Manahan, 40 years prolific director of musical theatre, Spring Valley; and Barbara Lukancic, 50-plus years, manager, Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, Spring Valley.

Patron Award of Excellence — Edmund Thornton, Ottawa; Blouke and Marianne Carus, LaSalle; and Dieken Family Foundation, Streator.

Nominees may include, but are not limited to, educators, photographers, dancers, administrators, painters, actors, musicians and philanthropists, and come with impressive credentials: 15-plus years of continuous artistic professionalism in local communities is a basic requirement for consideration. Award recipients must also show outstanding character, service, reputation and dedication to growing the arts in Starved Rock Country.

Anyone interested in nominating someone can email name, field of arts and one paragraph why the nominee is worthy of this recognition. All nominees will be reviewed by OmniArts Advisory Committee with recommendations sent to the trustees. Awardees will be selected and notified in December. Emails may be sent to billj@omniarts.org or mailed to OmniArts 315 Fifth St., Peru, IL 61354. All nominations must be received by Friday, Nov. 24.