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Governor's Awards in the Arts: Bridging Cultures in Idaho
BY AMBER DALEY
-Suzy Kassem, Writer, Philosopher, and Artist
Historically, the work of building proverbial bridges between differing ideologies and cultures has often been spearheaded by the world’s outside-the-box thinkers–storytellers, artists, musicians, and creatives of all kinds. Idaho, too, has taken a somewhat surprising lead in prioritizing diversity and inclusion in recent years, as demonstrated in its Governor’s Awards in the Arts.
Established in 1970 by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the biennial awards provide Idaho’s Governor and First Lady with an opportunity to recognize exceptional artists, organizations, and supporters–some with nationalities, genders, and disciplines that aren’t always acknowledged. But their creative accomplishments and distinguished service are no less noteworthy.
“I’ve been very pleased that people from varying ethnic backgrounds are represented–both in being nominated and receiving the awards,” says Michael Faison, Executive Director of the Idaho Commission on the Arts. “These people–whether they’re tradition bearers or innovators–are at the center of our civilization. It’s critically important that, at the center of government and civics in our society, we recognize them.” We invite you to get to know a few of these tradition bearers and innovators who are recipients of the 2020 awards.
Tabish Romario
Boise’s Tabish Romario, a recipient of the Excellence in the Arts award, is a professional Latin ballroom dancer and instructor who overcame physical violence, ostracism, and public shaming in his native Pakistan before courageously pursuing a life of music and movement in the United States. Despite risking his life and disownment from his family, he believes these experiences were powerful lessons in how to process anxiety and fear–lessons he passes on to his students at Idaho DanceSport. “Dance is the one of the gifts I share with the world,” he explains. “It makes other people come alive–and fundamentally changes who they are and their quality of life.”
Karen Day
Karen Day, a recipient of the Excellence in the Arts Award, is the first female filmmaker recognized by the Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Day has received local and national attention for her poignant documentaries. One such film, Bamboo and Barbed Wire, examines the tragic history of a Japanese internment camp in Idaho. Another, Girl from God’s Country, shares the previously untold story of Nell Shipman, the first female independent filmmaker who left Hollywood to make films in Idaho. “I could never be making documentaries to empower women and girls around the globe if these women in film had not come first,” says Day. “Their work deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated.”
- Michael Faison, Executive Director of the Idaho Commission on the Arts
Gary Eller
Gary Eller of Nampa, musician and performer, songwriter, and teacher, is being recognized for Support of the Arts, thanks in part to his tireless efforts discovering and performing native songs and stories based on historical Idaho people, places, and events. “Their stories are worth preserving,” he explains. “And poetry and music are outstanding, effective ways to do that.” Eller, born and raised in West Virginia, pays homage to his Appalachian roots and deep love for music and history through his efforts in Idaho, where he has served on the board of National Oldtime Fiddlers, Inc., formed a volunteer team to renovate the dormitory rooms in Slocum Hall, and organized various musicrelated camps and contests. Eller is also a founding board member of Co-Opportunities, Inc., a nonprofit that heads up the Bee Tree Folk School and oversees the Simpson-Vassar Collections Museum in Weiser.
As COVID-19 spread across the U.S. in early 2020, Diana Thompson witnessed musicians across the country struggling financially, and identified a way to both support them and bring people together through music. Thus, with the help of her husband Todd, the COVID Concert Series was born. The newly created Facebook group, which allowed musicians to perform live, interact with fans in real-time, and request donations, acquired 20,000 members in 80 countries joined in just two weeks. Today, the group has 34,000 members in 90 countries (and counting). Diana, recipient of the Innovation in the Arts award, recounts their interactions with expats from Costa Rica, whose one-night takeover of the Facebook group and donations received from their performances enabled them to purchase pallets of food and supplies for their community. “We get choked up thinking, ‘You just fed a village!’” she says. “It’s humbling to be able to help people during such a hard time.”
The year 2020 marked the 25th year of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Due to safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the date and location of the official awards ceremony is yet to be determined, but will likely happen sometime in 2021. Recipients of the
2020 Governor’s Awards in the Arts
EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS
Tabish Romario, Boise
Karen Day, Boise
Randy Van Dyck, Boise
EXCELLENCE IN FOLK & TRADITIONAL ARTS
Nancy Martiny, May
Joanne Hultstrand, Boise
SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
Gary Eller, Nampa
Dr. Nikki Halverson, Twin Falls
SUPPORT OF ARTS EDUCATION
John Anderson, Salmon
Michele Chmielewski, Coeur d’Alene
Kathy Stefani, Moscow
EXCELLENCE IN ARTS ADMINISTRATION
Mark Junkert, Boise
Roger Rowley, Moscow
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTS
Kay Hardy, Boise
INNOVATION IN THE ARTS
Diana Thompson, Rigby
