Governor’s Awards for Arts and Culture Since 1985, the Governor’s Awards for Arts and Culture have been given to individuals and institutions who make a difference in Michigan. For the second time, the award for organizations under $1 million budget has gone to the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center in Escanaba. Why? “I think there are several reasons,” said Bonifas Executive Director Mollie Larsen. “We offer a full spectrum of arts opportunities here, from the classes and our Gallery to special events. We work with our resident affiliates, like the Bay Area Arts Association and Players de Noc and with many other groups, too, from the Kiwanis Aktion group that meets at the Bonifas several times a year, to the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District, the MSU Extension Service and 4-H, Bay Pines, and Hannahville. It’s our mission to bring arts experiences to the central Upper Peninsula.” Larsen accepted the award for the Bonifas at the Gala held on November 29 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. She and Pasqua Warstler, Bonifas Gallery and Education Director, both attended the celebration. “We didn’t know if we’d won until the actual ceremony,” Warstler said. “And then, with the work the other organizations do who were nominated, I just didn’t know.” The two other nominees in the category were the Rackham Symphony Choir of Detroit, a group that performs “a unique blend” of classical music and other influences, and The Art Experience, Inc., of Waterford, which provides creative and therapeutic community arts for Oakland County. After the award was presented in the newly-remodeled Theater at the DIA, both women were delighted by the number of people who went out of their way to give congratulations. “Not just the people from our own category,” Warstler said, “but so many people – patrons and arts advocates from all over.” Part of the reason was the U.P. connection, she said. “Because we were from the U.P., people went out of their way to come and say ‘hey’ and relate their connection to the U.P.” Another reason for congratulation was created by the connections between the Bonifas and other arts and cultural agencies throughout the state. “Pasqua is wonderful at making friends for us all over,” Larsen said. The award itself was newly re-invented this year. It sits in the Bonifas lobby, on display through December 22. “We’re inviting everyone to stop in and admire it,” Larsen said. “Not just the award, but the Center behind it, with all of its activities, supporters, and heart.”