Prolonged applause, standing ovations, and loud cheers from the audience greeted five individuals who were honored last fall by the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County for their contributions to the arts and cultural life of the region.

In a ceremony that marked the eighth year that the commission has honored deserving individuals, the 2003 recipients of Arts Recognition Awards were:

• Bob Athayde, of Orinda, musician, jazz guru, longtime visionary music director at Stanley Intermediate School in Lafayette, and founder and instructor of a thriving summer jazz camp in Lafayette.


• Max Horn, of Martinez, who for more than 50 years has worked to teach, promote, and preserve the art of cultural folk dancing, where it is performed throughout the year as a community outreach program at "down on the farm," his small ranch in Martinez.


• Fred Davis Jackson, of Richmond, a writer, playwright, composer, director of Neighborhood House of North Richmond, and a community activist who uses the arts as a tool for healing, violence prevention, and education.


• Diane Kamrin, of Pleasant Hill, performer, producer, director, choreographer, music director and founder of Stars 2000, a young performers' workshop affiliated with the Diablo Light Opera Company.


• Helen Means, of Pleasant Hill, actress, producer, director and founder of the Onstage Theatre Company in the Old School House in Pleasant Hill, where it has flourished for 25 years as a highly respected community theater.

Each of the honorees received a glass trophy as well as resolutions and certificates from the Board of Supervisors, State Sen. Tom Torlakson, Assemblyman Joseph Canciamilla, and Supervisor John Gioia. Representing the Board of Supervisors was Millie Greenberg, supervisor from District 3.

The event was taped and aired multiple times on CCTV, the county television network. In addition, the Contra Costa Times provided extraordinary advance coverage -- the entire front page of its Sunday Arts & Entertainment section, which featured a four-color photo of all the honorees. Another page was devoted to individual photos and profiles of each honoree.

Honorees were also featured in a full-page cover and full-page photo spread and story on an inside page of the Arts and Entertainment section of the Contra Costa Times following the event.

This year's honorees brings to more than 40 the number of individuals honored by AC5 since the Arts Recognition Awards program was initiated in 1996.