2019 Awards
Congratulations to the 2019 Contra Costa County Arts Recognition Award Honorees:
Dr. Lawrence E. Anderson (Danville): - Founded and Conductor of the Danville Community Bank in 200, and is a lifelong Music Educator and Band Director. He was Director of Bands and Supervisor of Teacher Education in Music at UC Davis. His career began as Director of Music at Miramonte High in Orinda, and then served as a Counselor at Ygnacio Valley High School. In retirement he served as a student Teacher Supervisor for Chapman University in Walnut Creek. He has served as an Adjudicator at Music Festivals attended by elementary through high school music students in Contra Costa County and beyond, and by writing articles on music for Alive East Bay magazine.
Dr. Napoleon Dargan (San Pablo): Has developed a very successful, innovative, arts-based program for some of the most vulnerable in our community, addressing anxiety and depression. He also recently began a new program to support overweight and obese minority teenagers. He is a visionary and has been a true leader within the field of Arts in Health. He has great creativity in his painting and in development of arts-based programming. He has been an active member of Arts of Health and Healing for 7 years. He has built trust with Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation with his highly successful programs which funded the programs so they were available to the public free-of-charge.
Rosalinda Grejsen (Brentwood): Co-founded the Art Guild of the Delta, Inc, under the Brentwood Art Society. She is the Gallery Director at the Delta Gallery Community Art Center, Is President of the Brentwood Art Society and is currently chair of the City of Brentwood Arts Commission. Her leadership, vision and work with so many organizations helps foster creativity and camaraderie among artists, provides arts classes and lectures to children and adults, and helps raise funds for arts, cultural and educational programs throughout the community.
Leslie Noel (Lafayette) Founder and Director of the Peter Pan Foundation: It was founded to inspire children of all ages to find their inner talents and confidences; on and off the stage; all while engaging in philanthropy. This helps them to have the strength to help others around them. Over 2000 children/teens have participated in Peter Pan Foundation’s performances and philanthropic events; which resulted in over $200,000 and more than 150 playstation video games to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
Kelsey Wengel (San Ramon): A facilitator of learning and mentor to her students at Daugherty Valley High and works tirelessly to create community connections and provides unique opportunities outside of the classroom. Her “Beauty in Age” program partners her advanced students with a senior citizen at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center to create a meaningful portrait of the senior; which are then exhibited at the Center Gallery. She is also the Visual Art mentor for the San Ramon Valley Unified School district, and in 2019 worked with the art teaches at all five high schools in the District to curate a gallery exhibit. .
This year AC5 will also be presenting two Commission Special Awards:
Lafayette Town Hall Theater: The longest running and oldest continuously active theater company in Contra Coast County, is being awarded a Commission Special Award in Celebration of their 75th year of presenting theatre of the highest professional standards. They are also celebrating their 300th production of comedies, dramas, and musical entertainment during that same time. Their Town Hall Education program provides high quality theater education, and teaching teamwork and collaboration for children pre-k through high school and serves approximately 600 families per year. Adult classes, student matiness, Music and Comedy Events are also available to audiences for their enjoyment.
Blue Devils Performing Arts (Based in Concord): Is being awarded a Commission Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts for enriching the lives of more than 6,000 young people, in 1,800 families since 1957, through a commitment to youth development and performance excellence while providing enjoyment for the local community and audiences worldwide. There are currently 3 Drum & Bugle Corps, a Winter Guard, a Special Needs Guard, Blue Devil International, an Indoor Percussion group and the Diablo Wind Symphony within the Blue Devils Performing Arts Organization. The A Drum & Bugle Corps recently won their 19th Drum Corps International World Championship. BDPA has provided unique opportunities to their fans and members by offering performances and clinics with some of the greatest musicians, all over the world.