exceptional things for our area non-profit groups. Non-profit agencies are encouraged to submit information about volunteer and service work that merits the appreciation of the community. For more information contact Angela Hillesland,
Public Relations Manager, (706)650-3203 or info@lexusaugusta.com.

Click Here to submit a citizen for recognition!

Our sincere thanks to these citizens for giving of their time and talents to help make the
CSRA an even better place to live and work!

Greater Augusta Arts Council Recognizes 2008 Arts Award Winners

The Greater Augusta Arts Council will proudly recognize the winners of the 2008 Arts Awards at a ceremony at The Partridge Inn on Wednesday June 25th at 6:30 Pm. The Annual Recognition Ceremony honors local citizens and businesses who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the Arts. This year’s winners will be featured in the August issue of Augusta Magazine which features the annual Arts Calendar.

1. Edward Rice for the Artist Category
2. Doug Joiner, Krys Bailey & Richard Justice for Arts Professionals
3. Perry Broadcasting for Media
4. Earth Fare for Sponsor
5. Paige & Gary Tom for Volunteer
6. Karen Gordon for the President’s Award

The Greater Augusta Art Council’s Annual Meeting and Awards ceremony is open to the public. Tickets are $25.00 pp and include a reception featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Partridge Inn, Cocktails (cash bar), the Awards Ceremony & Annual Meeting, and a return to the reception immediately following the Awards. Reservations can be made by calling 706-826-4702 x 3 or e-mail Melissa@augustaarts.com

The Greater Augusta Arts Council is a 501(c) 3 dedicated to advancing the arts and thus, enriching the quality of life in Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area. “These winners all show a commitment to quality in their service to the Arts,” explained Brenda Durant, Greater Augusta Arts Council Director. “The partnership and dedication that they have shown throughout the year has been tremendous. They understand the impact that the Arts have on our local economic growth and quality of life.”

Recommendations for the annual awards can be submitted by Arts Council Members. For additional information about membership, visit AugustaArts.com.

Local Teachers Honored with Art Award

AUGUSTA, GA—The Morris Museum of Art and Wachovia Corporation have named Angelika Selman-Bondar, visual arts teacher at Stevens Creek Elementary and Euchee Creek Elementary, the 2008 Outstanding Art Teacher in Visual Art, and Silke Piper, fifth grade teacher at South Columbia Elementary, the 2008 Outstanding Classroom Teacher in Visual Art. The awardees were honored at a special ceremony held at the Morris Museum of Art on April 20, 2008. Their award included a cash prize which may be used for professional learning, travel, conference expenses, art supplies, or resources for the classroom.

The competition was open to the public and independent school teachers in the Central Savannah river Area, grades kindergarten through twelve. Nominees submitted questionnaires, lesson plans, letters of recommendation, and supporting portfolios. Judging was based on the following criteria: evidence of creativity and innovation in teaching methods and curriculum; development of a philosophy and theory of art teaching that is reflected in and outside the classroom; involvement in: community arts activities, professional organizations, art councils, visual arts workshops or conferences, and/or arts integration workshops or conferences; and involving students in art activities such as exhibitions, field trips, and conferences in and beyond the classroom.

The Morris Museum of Art, located at 1 Tenth Street on the Riverwalk in Augusta, Georgia, is the first and largest museum in the country dedicated to the art and artists of the American South. For more information about the Morris Museum of Art, visit its web site at www.themorris.org.

Two members of Leadership Augusta were honored with the organization's highest awards during its 2008 State of the Region Address and Awards Luncheon.

Rick Toole, founder of W.R. Toole Engineers, received the Leadership Augusta Award. Patrick Blanchard, immediate past chair of Leadership Augusta, said Mr. Toole has provided great service through his company in technology innovations and cost effective service in engineering. Mr. Toole is former chairman of the Task Force for the Augusta-Richmond County Subdivision Regulations Committee; Augusta Ports Authority and Savannah Region Diversification Initiative.

B.J. Blackwood received the Leadership Augusta Service Award. Presenter Jan Wiggins, a 1997 Leadership Augusta graduate, said, "This extraordinary individual is a true community volunteer." Mrs. Blackwood has served on the boards of Augusta Coalition for Youth, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Augusta Opera, Augusta Coliseum Authority, Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Girl Scout Board of Directors, where she received the Distinguished Service Medal.

Local Volunteer Honored at Chamber Function, January 2008
Congratulations to Pat Goodwin (Leadership Augusta alumni, 2001) for her Volunteer of the Year award by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.