When you think art, you think 'Steve'

COEUR d'ALENE — Jennifer Drake asked attendees at the 21st annual Mayor's Awards in the Arts to pause Thursday night and think about art in Coeur d'Alene.

"What are you thinking about," Drake, chairwoman of the Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission, asked.

A quiet chorus of "Steve" resonated through the Hagadone Event Center.

"Way to steal the punchline," Drake said with a laugh before describing the diversity of artistic expression displayed in the Lake City, and the role the inaugural recipient of a lifetime achievement award plays in making it all possible. "It is no exaggeration to say that Steve Gibbs has had an immeasurable impact on the artistic landscape of our town.

Gibbs, who owns the Art Spirit Gallery in downtown Coeur d'Alene and has been a presence in the city's art community for more than two decades, accepted the lifetime achievement award during the finale of the Mayor's Awards in the Arts — an event presented by Mayor Steve Widmyer and the Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission dedicated to honoring those who have dedicated their lives to supporting and enriching the arts.

"What a great, great honor," Gibbs said after the applause waned. "I feel so happy to be receiving an award for doing what I love. It is fabulous to see how much energy we have for the arts in this town."

Harold Balazs, a sculptor and artist who resides in the Northwest and whose work is often featured at exhibits in Coeur d'Alene, was the recipient of this year's excellence in the arts award. Master of Ceremonies Jared Helm read an excerpt from the individual who nominated Balazs and wrote the artist has "spent a lifetime creating art that is both world renown and fantastically local."

After a standing ovation, Balazs told the audience he was not informed he had to speak, before providing an often comical look into his development as an artist. Balazs said he took up art in college because he got thrown out of an engineering class.

"It became very evident to me that art was a useless endeavor, but that was the road I was on," Balazs said. "Things like this are affirmations of artists — it's the only way you know you're any good."

Each of the awards given to recipients were pieces of art created by local artists.

Other award winners during Thursday night's event were:

• Arts in Education Award: Pam Asher

• Support of the Arts Award: Mary Lou Reed

• Student Excellence in the Arts Award: Keely Brennan

At the conclusion of the event, Widmyer thanked the volunteers who made it all possible, as well as attendees who came to support the arts in Coeur d'Alene. Widmyer added he is almost embarrassed to have the event named after the mayor because it means so much more.

"This night seems different, it seems special," Widmyer said. "It's really kind of like Coeur d'Alene's Hall of Fame of the arts."