'The heartbeat of creating beautiful things'

COEUR d’ALENE — When Greg Washington looked at the crowd at the 28th Mayor’s Awards in the Arts, he didn’t just see about 100 faces looking back at him. 

He heard something. 

“This is the heartbeat of the art community here in Coeur d’Alene,” he said. 

Washington questioned what the world would look and sound like without art. He said it would be a “functional.” 

“It is the creative in the world that makes things beautiful. We turn functional into beautiful things,” he said. “And this is the heartbeat of creating beautiful things in Coeur d’Alene.” 

Washington and his wife, Phebe, were presented with the Support of the Arts award at the annual celebration at the Hagadone Events Center on Wednesday. 

It was a night, as City Councilor Kiki Miller said, to shine a spotlight on the city’s many forms of art, which she said enhances “the cultural landscape of our community.” 

“Look at the color and the beauty it brings to our community,” she said. 

From theater to poetry to music to dancing and singing, awards and presentations highlighted the two-hour program emceed once again by Stephen Shortridge. 

The Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission was lauded for its “tireless work” to promote and showcase art. 

Those honored included ignite cda, which received the Patron of the Arts Award; Marial Palmer-Kamprath, who received the Student Excellence in the Arts; and Roger Dunsmore, who earned the Arts in Education award. 

Jennifer Passaro was introduced as the city’s Poet Laureate. 

Scott Hoskins, ignite cda board chairman, said great cities display many forms of public art. 

“We're just proud to be a part of that,” he said.

It was said that ignite cda has funneled in total $1.5 million to the Arts Commission through two urban renewal districts. 

Dunsmore, a longtime University of Montana professor whose career in writing, teaching and sharing poetry spanned more than five decades, moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2013. He was praised for his commitment in posting poems on utility poles around town for 10 years.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room before that had this much creativity, this many artists and art supporters in it,” he said. “I feel like I should ether dance or sing or both.” 

The final award of the night, Excellence in Arts, went to Lorna Hamilton.  

Presenter Chuck Ethridge said since Hamilton moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1972, she has left “an indelible mark on the community’s cultural landscape.” 

He said she impacted countless lives, elevated art and promoted excellence in theater. She directed dozens of productions and choreographed dozens more with “quality and originality.” 

A humbled Hamilton said “the world will little note nor remember what I say here, but let us never forget what we’ve done here.” 

“That’s what we celebrate tonight. Not just the awards, but the fact that here we are,” Hamilton said.  

She said it was rewarding to know “there is no expiration date on creativity" and said as long as she enjoys what she’s doing with art and theater, she plans to continue on that path. 

“Even though this may be presented to me, it really is for all of us, and I share it with all of you,” Hamilton said.  

    Board chair Scott Hoskins poses with the Patron of the Arts award presented to ignite cda. He is joined by Coeur d'Alene City Councilor Kiki Miller.
  

    Jennifer Passaro smiles as she watches the 28th annual Mayor's Awards in the Arts program on Wednesday, Passaro was introduced as Coeur d'Alene's Poet Laureate.