The Utah Governor's Mansion Artist Awards 2024
(PART 2 OF 3 AWARDS PRESENTATIONS IN 2024)
The 2024 Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards honors florist Jeff Leatham and the dancers of N8tive Hoop. Leatham has been creating floral installations since 1994 in his work as the artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris. N8tive Hoop is a family of Native American hoop dancers traveling the world to share their craft and heritage through performative dance.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
- Jeff Leatham is a floral artist known for his artistic designs. Leatham has been a florist since 1994, when his career began in the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Now, in his role as the creative director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, he combines flowers with sculptural elements to create large installations. His collaborations with celebrities and luxury brands have brought his work to people around the world.
- N8tive Hoop is a family of Native American hoop dancers from various tribes. N8tive Hoop shares their craft and heritage through performative dance. Calling forth traditional rhythms and spiritual connection with their ancestors, they work to bring hoop dancing to new audiences. They have performed across the world, performing at festivals, cultural events, and educational institutions to share their tradition and artistry.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation is awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for their work in philanthropic giving and leadership through Utah. The Foundation supports a wide range of initiatives in 5 core areas: arts and culture, community, education, health and wellness, and preservation and conservation. Established in 1958, their legacy of investing throughout Utah is continued by the Foundation’s current board, consisting of Spencer Fox Eccles, Lisa Eccles, and Robert M. Graham.
The Utah Governor's Mansion Artist Awards 2024
(PART 1 OF 3 AWARDS PRESENTATIONS IN 2024)
PBS Utah would like to invite you to step into the Governor’s Mansion and celebrate live as two Utah artists are awarded the Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards. Among this year's winners are violinist Aubree Oliverson and artist Joe Ostraff. Explore the exceptional contribution of these two artists to Utah.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
- Musician Aubree Oliverson is a violin soloist committed to performing beloved classics and bringing lesser-known pieces to the spotlight. She has been recognized with multiple awards, and recently named the 2023 Francis Rosen Prize recipient at the Colburn Conservatory. Oliverson believes in the importance of music education from a young age, and encourages children to participate in music by speaking at schools and national conventions.
- Joe Ostraff is a visual artist and is currently an assistant professor at Brigham Young University, teaching drawing, painting, and advanced studio cources. He has been awarded the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Utah Arts Council three times. Ostraff's solo works and collaborations with other artists have been in multiple exhibitions across the US and abroad.
The Utah Governor's Mansion Artist Awards 2023
Among this year's winners are visual artists Ben Steele and Jeff Hein, along with musicians Joel Rosenberg, Dr. Yu-Jane Yang, and Marshall McDonald. Join PBS Utah in the celebration as we explore the exceptional contributions of these talented individuals to Utah's creative landscape.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
- Artist Ben Steele graduated from the University of Utah in 2002 and continued his education under David Dornan and Paul Davis. His work is featured in personal and corporate collections, including figures like Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, and Steve Carell. Steele's art combines classical techniques with a contemporary touch, resulting in a portfolio of still life, portraiture, and landscapes.
- Joel Rosenberg is an accomplished violist and the Music Director of the American West Symphony and other Utah ensembles. The Juilliard graduate has conducted worldwide, including the Elizabethan Philharmonic and Orchestra of Victoria at the Sydney Opera House, the Elbland Philharmonic in Germany, and other performances with renowned artists like Leon Fleisher.
- Jeff Hein is an artist based in Salt Lake City with a passion for handmade items. He began studying drawing in 1992. His work has been featured in magazines such as “American Art Collector” and exhibited in prestigious locations such as the Utah Museum of Fine Art. He values a pure and intimate relationship with his subject matter and sees each painting as a personal record of his experience.
- Dr. Yu-Jane Yang is a renowned pianist and director of Keyboard Studies at Weber State University. She has been recognized with prestigious awards, has conducted master classes worldwide, judged piano competitions, and mentored award-winning students who have secured scholarships at esteemed music schools. Her commitment to education is evident through the achievements of her students.
- Marshall McDonald is a multi-talented musician with a unique style that combines classical, inspirational, film score, and new-age genres. His film scores and symphonies have been performed internationally, including by the China Philharmonic Orchestra. He has diverse experiences, from performing as a hand double pianist on television to being a guest soloist with the Tabernacle Choir.
The Utah Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards 2022
RECIPIENTS:
- Clytie Adams, dance teacher, founder of the Clytie Adams School of Ballet
- Paige Crosland Anderson, abstract artist
- Dr. Richard Elliot, principal organist, Tabernacle Choir
- Maricia Price, arts supporter and philanthropist
- Paisley Rekdal, Utah Poet Laureate, professor
- Leroy Transfield, sculptor
- Carrie Trenholm, fused glass visual artist, educator
The Utah Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards 2021
V. Kim Martinez & Jack Ashton
Art is both something that exists in the present, as well as a gift to be given to the future. Muralist V. Kim Martinez, inspired by the Mexican muralists of the 20th Century, now passes her craft along as a professor & community activist. Jack Ashton, longtime violinist for the Utah Symphony, is honored for his work in education, introducing students to the joy of creating music.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
V. Kim Martinez
A muralist and political artist, V. Kim Martinez was motivated to understand how power structures impact the disadvantaged. For Kim, art is both a way to have a voice and to share a dialogue with others. Herself inspired by the Mexican muralists of the 20th Century, Kim now inspires the next generation — empowering others to connect with their communities and tell their own stories through art. WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
Jack Ashton
In his 48 years as a violinist in the Utah Symphony and 35 years teaching at Olympus High School, Jack Ashton has more experience in music than many of us have years in our lives. While Jack’s education work includes teaching the basics of notes & scales, the real reward comes from introducing students to the joy of creating music. According to Jack, you can’t find anything sweeter than that. WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
Good Company Theatre & Fidalis Buehler
Art is a quest to know thyself” is an idea embodied by each artist in this episode. Fidalis Buehler explores themes of heritage and belonging through his paintings, and teaches students to harness the nuances of their own identities. Alicia and Camille Washington founded Good Company Theatre to bring inclusive plays to their native Ogden, turning their passion for equity in the arts into reality.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
Good Company Theatre
Utah’s only Black women-owned theater is Ogden’s Good Company Theatre, founded by Camille & Alicia Washington. The sisters were driven to start a theatre company both by a passion for equity in the arts, and a desire to engage with where they’re from. As a community gathering space, the theatre’s progressive, inclusive plays allow audiences to rethink their relationship to theatrical performance. WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
Fidalis Buehler
Many of Fidalis Buehler’s paintings feature the image of a wanderer, personified as a stray dog. A child of parents from Wisconsin and the Gilbert Islands, Fidalis never felt like he fit in either group — but in the arts, he saw an avenue for exploration. For Fidalis, art is a quest to know thyself. Now a professor at BYU, Fidalis teaches students to harness the nuances of their own identities. WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
Ta’u Pupu’a, Diane Stewart & Elsie Holiday
For artists, heritage and community can be powerful sources of inspiration. A former pro football player, opera tenor Ta’u Pupu’a found his voice through church service. Philanthropist & gallery owner Diane Stewart curates works from a diverse body of artists, connecting art and her community. Elsie Holiday, part of a long line of basket weavers, now passes the family tradition on to her daughter.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
Ta’u Pupu’a
While his teammates listened to rock or hip-hop to get pumped up before a game, Ta’u Pupu’a listened to Luciano Pavarotti. After an injury ended his professional football career, Ta’u moved to New York City to purse a new life in the opera. Now, Ta’u works as a professional opera tenor, sharing what he calls the “universal language” of music with the world. WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
Diane Stewart
For philanthropist and gallery owner Diane Stewart, there is no better way to bridge a message with people than through art. Diane founded Mountain West Fine Art on Salt Lake’s near west side in 2014 as a way of integrating art in the community, and features works from a diverse body of local artists. “Art is a catalyst for change,” says Diane. “And I want everybody to have a place at the table". WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
Elsie Holiday
“You have to be patient to weave baskets,” says Elsie Holiday. After marrying into a family of basket weavers at age 19, Elsie quickly took to the family trade, creating baskets whose designs range from traditional Navajo patterns to pop art. Whether she’s gathering Navajo willow sumac with her daughter in Douglas Mesa or taking commissions, Elsie always finds a way to try something different. WATCH INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT
ABOUT THIS SERIES
A little-known part of the state’s history, Utah Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards series has honored Utah’s visual, performing, and culinary artists at the historic Utah Governor’s Mansion since its inception in the late 1930s.
Originally conceived by Governor Henry H. Blood — who was purportedly looking to raise funds to secure a piano for the mansion — the artist awards have been upheld by Governors Michael Leavitt, Olene S. Walker, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Gary R. Herbert, and Spencer J. Cox. The series traditionally features three events per year and serves as a fundraiser for the historic Governor’s Mansion.
With a glimpse into each artist’s inspiration and creative process, this limited series highlights Utah’s rich history of art and artists, and the incredible depth of the state’s creative talent.
This series is made possible in part by:
