Yuma, Arizona - With 13 sets of nominees in, the biggest night of the year for the Yuma Art Center and the local arts community is set for Oct. 13, when the ceremony and reception for the 17th annual Tribute of the Muses will take place.

Tribute of the Muses honors an outstanding member of Yuma’s arts community who has shown exemplary devotion and excellence in the arts. Winners range among artists, performers, educators, advocates, patrons and the like.

Six additional nominees will vie for the 8th annual Helios Award, earned by the top newcomer in the arts community.

Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony, starting at 7 p.m. October 13 at the Historic Yuma Theatre, adjacent to the art center at 254 S. Main St. The evening will be presented in the theme of Enchanted Forest. Formal attire is encouraged. Admission to the ceremony is free.

The ceremony will include a keynote address by Mayor Doug Nicholls and will feature entertainment by Dawn’s Dance Studio, Dancing with the Yuma Stars, Yuma Civic Orchestra, concert pianist Caryl James Thompson and spoken-word performer Isaac Russell.

The recipient of the Tribute of the Muses Award will be honored with a custom art award created by local artist Denise Vaughn. The commissioned award is entitled “Candle on the Water” and was selected by the Ad-Hoc Public Art Committee from a competitive application and proposal process.

Following the awards ceremony, the reception -- a ticketed $20 donation going toward local arts programming – will take place at the Yuma Art Center. It will feature live music by Yuma Jazz Company, libations and a silent art auction which raises funds to support arts programs.

Tribute of the Muses and Helios honorees are nominated by the public and are selected by the City of Yuma’s Parks, Recreation Commission and Ad Hoc Public Art Committee.

This year’s Tribute of the Muses Award Nominees

  • Ty Cook
  • Kimberly Dickerson
  • Beth Donahue
  • Myriah Farrar
  • Mark Flint
  • Jim and Desiree Foster
  • Steven Hennig
  • Joanne Kidd
  • Lia Littlewood and Isaac Russell
  • Zarmineh Moody
  • Lynn Morgan
  • Lori Stofft and Michael Miller
  • George Tomkins

This year’s Helios Award Nominees

  • Nathan Downing
  • Jason Irr
  • Stefanie Littlewood
  • Michelle Greco
  • Cari Jean Nelson
  • Emma Stewart