Previous Recipients

Sierra Arts Foundation 2009 Endowment Fund Grant Recipients

The 2009 Sierra Arts Foundation Endowment Fund Grant awards and Robert Gorrell literary award recipients’ work were on display June 8 – July 24 at the Sierra Arts gallery in Reno. The honorees received their awards from SAF President of the Board, J. Craig Sweeney, at the exhibition reception on Friday, July 17, 2009.

In 2009, SAF bestowed $20,000 to 25 artists. The work of more than 115 artists, performers, and writers received careful consideration by the review committee.  After several days of discussion, panelists unanimously agreed on the 2009 year’s grant recipients.

SAF has provided Endowment Fund Grants to visual, performing and literary artists working in northern Nevada to encourage personal artistic growth in professionals and students since 1986. Awards were merit-based and free of restrictions.

The 2009 Robert Gorrell award recognizing emerging writers of exceptional talent went to Erin Granat, who also received an honorable mention in the literary professional grant category. Robert Gorrell, an emeritus professor of English at the University of Nevada, Reno and a columnist for the Reno Gazette, was instrumental in founding Sierra Arts, and was a grant selection committee member for several years.

Applicants submitted an application, resume of artistic experience, statement of artistic philosophy, and documentation of work produced in the previous four years. Additional documentation requirements varied according to discipline. Applicants displaying defined plans to create innovative work and pursue education have an increased likelihood of receiving funding.

Professional artists received $1000 grants; student artists received $500 grants. Honorable mention artists also received $500 awards.

2009 Grant Recipients:

Visual – Professional

  • Megan Berner
  • Corrie Francis
  • Jennifer Graham
  • Ahren Hertel
  • Nick Larsen
  • John Molezzo
  • Franz Szony
  • Rossitza Todorova (honorable mention)
  • Christopher Umana (honorable mention)

Literary – Professional

  • Erin Granat (Robert Gorrell Literary Award and honorable mention)
  • Tami Philips Lehouillier
  • Scott Lukas
  • Robert Leonard Reid
  • Ben Rogers
  • Karen Terry

Performing – Professional

  • Chris Bayer
  • Cece Gable
  • Louis Pierre Gezelin
  • Jennie Pitts (honorable mention)

Visual – Student

  • Andrei Hill
  • Jane Kenoyer
  • Kelci McIntosh
  • Ashley Westwood

Performing – Student

  • Deanna Said

Literary – Student

  • Brianna Thompson

Grant recipients may apply again after three full calendar years from the date of their previous award, and may not have received the Rosemary MacMillan award after 1999. Past recipients include:

2008 Grant Recipients:

Visual – Professional

  • Rebekah Bogard
  • Dean Burton
  • Annie Hooker
  • Sharon Maczko
  • Bart McCoy
  • Sara McCoy
  • Candace Nicol
  • Tamara Scronce

Performing – Professional

  • Scott Beers
  • Rosine Bena
  • Erika Paul Carlson
  • Kate Cotter
  • Tony Lee-Ray Walker (honorable mention)

Literary – Professional

  • Jennifer Rachel Baumer (honorable mention)
  • Krista Benjamin (Robert Gorrell Literary Award)
  • Andrew William Mowers
  • Nila NorthSun
  • Ismael Santillanes

Visual – Student

  • Bryan Christiansen
  • Christina Lee
  • Valerie Morasse
  • Kimberly Musser
  • Dominique Palladino

Performing – Student

  • Anne Marie Evans