2015 Orange County Arts Awards Honorees Announced!

Arts Orange County has announced the honorees at its 16th Annual Orange County Arts Awards, to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 in the Samueli Theater at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This year's event will be emceed by Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano, and ArtsOC Executive Director Rick Stein.

CATHY RIGBY is an award-winning actress, theatre producer and arts educator. Ms. Rigby was born in Los Alamitos and is a resident of Yorba Linda, where she operates an arts conservatory. She and her husband, Tom McCoy, own McCoy-Rigby Entertainment, which produces the Broadway series at La Mirada Theatre. Ms. Rigby is well known for her role as Peter Pan on Broadway and on tour, as well as for her early career as an international, medal-winning gymnast and Olympian. Ms. Rigby will receive a Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award for Outstanding Artist.

DEBORAH VOIGT is an international opera superstar and an award-winning soprano who is a graduate of El Dorado High School in Placentia and studied at California State University, Fullerton. She is renowned the world over for her performances and recordings, she is considered one of the leading Brünnhildes of our time. Ms. Voigt will be seen in performance with the Pacific Symphony, June 11-13 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. She is the author of a book, Call Me Debbie: Confessions of a Down-to-Earth Diva. Ms. Voigt will receive a Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award for Outstanding Artist.

WYLIE & BETTE AITKEN are passionate patrons of the arts. A prominent Orange County attorney, Mr. Aitken served for five years on the California Arts Council, including two years as its Chair. He also served previously as President of the Board of Trustees of South Coast Repertory, and currently serves on the Board of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Mrs. Aitken serves on the Board of Directors of MUZEO and the Chance Theater. The Aitkens will receive a Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award for Outstanding Arts Patron.

RELAMPAGO DEL CIELO, Orange County's foremost Mexican folkloric organization. For 40 years, Relampago del Cielo has preserved and promoted Mexican folkloric music and dance traditions through its educational programs and performances in Santa Ana. Relampago del Cielo will receive a Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award for Outstanding Arts Organization.

LAGUNA DANCE FESTIVAL, now celebrating its 11th season as Orange County's premier dance festival, presenting outstanding visiting dance companies performing in all genres and styles, under the artistic direction of Jodie Gates. Since 2005, the festival has presented 35 companies, 55 performances, 30 master classes and more than 40 free events. Laguna Dance Festival will receive a 2015 Achievement Award for Outstanding Arts Organization.

RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS - ArtsOC.org

ARTS & CULTURAL EVENTS + CALLS FOR ARTISTS + AUDITIONS + JOBS + CLASSES + VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - SparkOC.com

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OCSA Student Kelly Zhou Creates Winning Poster for 2015 Imagination Celebration

Kelly Zhou (above right), a 10th grade student in the Integrated Arts program at Orange County School of the Arts created the winning art for the 2015 Imagination Celebration poster. She was presented with an award check and a framed copy of her poster by ArtsOC Executive Director Rick Stein at the May 12 meeting of the OC School of the Arts Foundation Board in Santa Ana. Also honored was Heather Stafford (above left), head of the Integrated Arts program and mentor to Kelly.

Free Museum Admissions to Military Families

Blue Star Museums offers free admission to the nation's service members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2015. This year, more than 100 California museums are taking part in the program, including the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach and MUZEO in Anaheim.

OC Fair Celebrates 125th Anniversary:

July 17-August 16

Arts Orange County is the leader in building appreciation of, participation in and support for the arts and arts education throughout Orange County.

It is a powerhouse in advancing Orange County's arts ecology, a trailblazer in advocating workforce development through arts education, a leader in building future audiences and a trendsetter in the world of nonprofit arts councils.

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