Cris Alarcon, News@InEDC.com

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) July 6, 2022 — Six outstanding high school juniors and seniors received the inaugural Young Artist Awards at a reception at Arts and Culture El Dorado’s Confidence Firehouse Gallery.

The event, held on Friday, April 22, also honored the memory of four bright lights in the El Dorado County community who were great supporters of the arts. Their lives represent the talent, thoughtfulness, generosity, and commitment to the community that makes El Dorado County such a special place to live.

“This next generation of artists is inspiring, not only for their dedication to theater or music but also for their hopes for making the world a better place,” said Paul Bush, Madroña Vineyards owner and one of the award founders.“We are thankful for our local high schools and their music, theater, and art teachers for highlighting such an amazing group of young adults—passionate, talented, and driven.”

The Young Artist Awards were presented in each of four categories: music, visual art, theater, and nature-inspired art of any discipline, including a $500 honorarium. The four awards are the Richard H. Bush Award for Music, the Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art, the Lanny Langston Award for Theater, and the Jane Van Camp Award for Nature-Inspired Art.

At the April 22 reception, Paul and Maggie Bush, joined by Leslie Bush, presented the 2022 Richard H. Bush Award for Music to two Ponderosa High School students: senior Alissa Thuesen and junior Brooke Morgan. Alissa, nominated by music teacher Taylor Sabado, is a standout trumpet player who plans to become a music educator. Brooke, also nominated by Sabado, was the drum major of Ponderosa’s marching band and plans to pursue music in college.

Dan Cattone presented the 2022 Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art to Dae Larkin, a senior at Oak Ridge High School, and Liv Haugrud, a senior at Ponderosa. Dae, nominated by art teacher Michelle Kite, explores propaganda themes in her art and aspires to be an animator, helping young people deal with stress through interactive art. Liv, nominated by art teacher Jennifer Schrock, has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, passion, and creativity over the four years she has studied Studio Art at Ponderosa.

“Joey Cattone was a prolific self-taught artist who loved to inspire and work with new artists in the community,” noted Cattone. “The Young Artist awards are intended to carry on her passion for art and inspiring young artists in our communities. The inaugural event was evidence of the impact these awards can have on young artists. It is our pleasure to continue this process in the future.”

Peter Wolfe, Lanny Langston’s longtime friend and Imagination Theatre co-founder, represented the Langston family in presenting the 2022 Lanny Langston Award for Theatre to Kelsi Havercroft, a senior at Union Mine High School. Kelsi, nominated by drama teacher Heather Freer, was the 2022 El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud champion, the assistant director of Grease at Imagination Theatre, and the lead actor in several high school productions.

The 2022 Jane Van Camp Award for Nature-inspired Art went to Chloe Gautschi, a senior at El Dorado High School. Chloe, nominated by art teacher Brigid Bourque, is a nature lover and gifted sculptor whose animal-themed pottery beautifully reflected the spirit of the Jane Van Camp Award. In a statement, Jamie Van Camp congratulated Chloe and said, “Your work inspired us… You are truly the perfect fit for this award.”

An annual program, the Young Artist Awards will continue to celebrate the great promise of younger generations and honor the lives and legacies of those shining stars who came before them.

Arts and Culture El Dorado is a catalyst for good works throughout the region, serving as the State-Local Partner to the California Arts Council and providing targeted programs and services. It also curates a vibrant gallery exhibition series and focuses on initiatives that support and sustain the cultural life of the region. Founded in 1984 as El Dorado Arts Council, the organization offers programs for veterans and students, families and young people, artists and arts organizations, and residents and visitors to the region. Tax-deductible charitable donations may be made at https://artsandcultureeldorado.org.