Artist of the Year

His passionate embrace of art, which he traces to his childhood, preceded his devotion to Catholicism.

Gina communicates inspirational themes – love and companionship; growth and death; balance and the passage of time.

It is no exaggeration to say that the art world of the region would be a very different place without his creative vision.

Tom Fong is best known for dramatic watercolors, full of movement and infused with a Zen like abandon.

The whimsy paper-mâché sculptures of Dee Marcellus Cole have been exhibited in over thirty one person shows and museums throughout the United States. Cole has traveled to South and Central America, Mexico, Tonga, Australia and Indonesia to study folk art and to document carnivals.

Although she primarily paints landscapes, her portraits of people and animals, her abstracts, and records of her imaginary journeys to enchanted lands are displayed in local, regional and national shows.

Painting at Manzanar National Monument with Henry Fukuhara during his annual workshop for many years, and two trips to Mt. Carmel in Utah to paint with Milford Zornes, have certainly made a lasting impression. I have also had the great experience of painting with at least 50 others on a trip to Canyon de Chelly. These trips allow artists to learn from each other and enjoy the camaraderie of people with the same interests, a very inspiring and enriching experience.