The event marked the 11th year of Arts Recognition Awards: A Celebration, produced by the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5).  The festivities were held in the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch.  The 78-year-old venue, once a vaudeville and movie theater, has been restored and is now a center for the performing arts.

Honorees received documents from the California Legislature and the Board of Supervisors in addition to handsome glass awards in the shape of a flame that symbolizes “the fire of creativity . . . and the glow that exists in each of its recipients.”  The award was designed expressly for AC5 by artist Marty Appel. 

AC5 expressed appreciation to Wells Fargo for a grant that helped cover costs and keep admission fees affordable.

Special acknowledgment was made of the extensive coverage accorded the event by the Contra Costa Times.  The newspaper devoted the full-page cover of its Arts and Entertainment section on October 22 to a color photograph of the honorees.  In addition, stories and photos of each honoree appeared on inside pages.

The commission also acknowledged the donation of premium wines, served at a post-ceremony reception, by vintners in Contra Costa County.

Entertainment included performances by the trio “Mem’ry Lane” (Colleen Vitalis, Nick Vitalis and Terry Cunningham); singer-actor Stu Klitsner (accompanied by Richard Elliott);  poet Dwayne Parrrish; singers Noah Mittman and Lauren Shigemura; and singer Jennifer Graham.

	2006 Honorees:  Richard Tonkin, who filled in for his wife Carolina Lugo of Brisas de Espana (she and her company were on a tour in China); John Wehrle, muralist from Richmond; Mark Ballock, founder of the San Ramon Arts Foundation;   Edward Belasco, founder and artistic director of the Belasco Theatre Company; Jack Tucker, journalist and arts columnist; and Barbara Grant, actress and development director at the Willows Theatre in Concord.
	Mark Ballock receiving his award from Master of Ceremonies Bob Rezak
	Premium wines served at the reception were donated by Contra Costa vintners:  Bloomfield Vineyards of Brentwood; Diablo Vista Vineyards/ Rosenblum Wines, Oakley; Enos Family Vineyards, Brentwood; Hannah Nicole Vineyards, Brentwood; Tamayo Family Vineyards/CA’NA Wines, Brentwood; and Viano Vineyards, Martinez.