Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced the winners of the annual Mayor’s Artists Awards, which will be formally presented at the Utah Arts Festival on Saturday, June 25th.
Established in 1992, the Mayor’s Artists Awards program recognizes significant accomplishments and contributions of individuals and organizations to the arts and cultural landscape of Utah. Each recipient will be introduced at the awards ceremony and receive a $500 prize.
“It’s a thrill to honor these artists and organizations who enrich all of our lives with their talents and gifts to the community,” Mayor Biskupski said. “I’m especially pleased to announce these awards in Salt Lake City during the Utah Arts Festival. We see arts and culture as essential elements in keeping the capital city vibrant, and as a tool to help drive our economy.”
Visual Arts Award recipient Kathryn Stats, a Sandy resident and Utah painter for more than 50 years, said “I feel like I’ve been studying and trying to be a better artist for a thousand years. I am really surprised and deeply honored to win this award.”
Winners are selected from a pool of nominations and represent various categories. This year’s recipients are:
Kathryn Stats, Visual Arts
Kathryn Stats is known throughout the Western U.S. for her landscape and still life paintings. Her style reflects the diverse landscapes of Utah; her favorite subjects include the vast formations and red-dirt washes of Capitol Reef National Park. She grew up surrounded by paintings of her great-uncle, iconic Utah artist LeConte Stewart. She has been named one of the 100 “Most Honored Artists of Utah” by the Springville Museum of Art.
Betsy Burton, Service to the Arts—Individual
Book lovers in Salt Lake City owe a debt of gratitude to Betsy Burton. As the founder and co-owner of The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City’s 15th and 15thneighborhood, Betsy has been a passionate advocate for the literary arts for nearly four decades and has influenced generations of readers.
Utah Symphony ǀ Utah Opera, Service to the Arts—Organization
The Utah Symphony is one of only 15 full-time orchestras in the United States and is celebrating its 75th anniversary by collaborating with several of Utah’s premier cultural organizations. The Utah Opera, founded in 1978, brings high-caliber performances to Utahns and through its Production Studios, supports opera set and costume design.
Utah Tibetan Association, Service to the Arts—Organization
The Utah Tibetan Association preserves Tibetan culture by creating a sense of unity among its small community. Through public programs and events, the Association works to ensure the culture, religion, and identity of Tibetans are not forgotten through the generations.
Jason Hardink, Performing Arts
Jason Hardink is a noted keyboard musician who has performed throughout the United States in many capacities. He came to Utah as principal keyboardist for the Utah Symphony and also serves as artistic director for the NOVA Chamber Music Series.
Utah Arts Festival, Special Recognition Award—Organization
In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Utah Arts Festival is receiving a special recognition award for their service to the arts. The Utah Arts Festival has been an integral part of a vibrant art community. It is the largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event in Utah with attendance near 80,000 each summer. It has been consistently ranked among the top 50 art festivals in the nation.
