10th Annual Viola Awards

As of 2018, the Viola Awards has hosted 5,008 attendees, honored 614 Finalists, given out 106 awards (including 11 Legacy Awards), and raised over a quarter million dollars to support the arts and sciences!

Award Highlights

Dark Sky Aerial became the first group to win back-to-back Viola Awards in the same category in consecutive years. They won in 2017 for Opia.
The grouping of the Master Chorale of Flagstaff with NAU Men’s and Women’s Chorales made for the largest group (over 150 people) to ever perform at the Viola Awards.
Several winners took home a Viola after being a previous Finalist:
- Janelle Reasor and Firecreek Coffee Company both won after being named a Finalist for the third time.
- This was the second nomination for Tim McKay.
- The Mural Mice won this year on their fourth turn as a Finalist.
Shawn Skabelund became the first individual to win three Viola Awards. He previously won for Virga: the Hunt for Water in 2013, and with Janice ChenJu Chiang for Composition for Forests.
Elizabeth Bonzani crafted this year’s award. She says about her design: “I chose to incorporate geodes in the design of these awards, as they illustrate the beauty that is within all of us. Violet represents pure thought and our connection with infinite consciousness, and it is in this place that we produce our highest work.”

We are excited to reveal the winners from this year’s award ceremony.

See Winners

Legacy Award Recipients

Ed George

Ed George was a prolific cinematographer living in Flagstaff Arizona who unexpectedly passed away on Feb. 25, 2016 from a heart attack. Ed moved to Flagstaff in 1988 and worked primarily on films about the Grand Canyon, Colorado River trips, and Southwestern wildlife. Some of his film credits include: “Wrenched,” a Viola Award-nominated film about environmental activist, Edward Abbey, “Dune,” “A River Runs Through It,” and “Executioner’s Song.”

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10th Annual Viola Awards Winners

Community Impact Organization

AZ Historical Society for Todos Unidos

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Community Impact Organization” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629182343{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]The Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum, like many history museums, tells stories based primarily on the collections that were started by the wealthy community members of the town. The staff at Pioneer Museum recognized that there was a large portion of Flagstaff history that was not being told and has worked towards changing that.

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Community Impact Individual

Janelle Reasor

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Community Impact Individual” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629188158{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Janelle Reasor has worked as the Magnet Programs Coordinator at Marshall Elementary School since 2008. She is the central driving force behind the school’s extracurricular success. Over the course of the past decade, Marshall has grown exponentially in its ability to deliver a dynamic academic program of study, emphasizing the arts and sciences, to all of its students.

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Emerging Artist

Kimberly Jarchow

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Emerging Artist” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629175188{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Kimberly Jarchow is well-known for running and promoting the Flagstaff Poetry Slam at Firecreek Coffee Company every Wednesday during the season. She has performed in many spoken word poetry competitions both locally and nationally.

In 2017 she performed at a Write About Now showcase hosted in Houston Texas, competed in the National Poetry Slam in Denver, Colorado, and opened for renowned poet Saul Williams. At the Juniper House series in Flagstaff, AZ, she has promoted and sold her chapbook, “Moments of Tangency”. Her spoken word ranges from everyday thoughts of a growing young women to deep intuitions as she brings light to topics rarely spoken about.

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Excellence in Arts Education

Tim McKay

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Excellence in Arts Education” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629201770{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Tim McKay is an educator who wears many hats in the Flagstaff music community. He works as a teacher, director and performer in various capacities. Tim is the director of bands at Mount Elden Middle school, and is in his fourth year as the Director of the Flagstaff Community Band and Flagstaff Junior Band. As a performer himself, he is in his 11th season playing trombone with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.

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Excellence in Science Education

Christine Sapio

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Excellence in Science Education” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623363717620{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Christine Sapio is in the 12th year of her current position at Coconino High School: Coconino Institute of Technology Physics, Physics, AP Physics 1 and 2 Teacher and Coconino Institute of Technology Coordinator – she is responsible for recruiting new students to the program. Under her leadership, the program has earned a reputation for excellence in the community.

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Excellence in Performing Arts

Dark Sky Aerial for TILT

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Dark Sky Aerial, fresh off their Viola Award winning production of Opia, presented TILT in downtown Flagstaff last summer.

In the ambitious and powerful ambulatory, theatre experience, aerial dancers soared off the walls of downtown buildings, were hoisted-on-high by a construction crane, and wove a tale of truth and perception through the hallways and hotel rooms of The Historic Hotel Monte Vista for a three-night run on August 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2017.

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Excellence in Music

Tiny Bird for Halfway Up the Mountain

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Excellence in Music” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629226903{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Tiny Bird is a local indie band that has been making music for the last six years. In 2017, less than a year after releasing theuir EP Childish the band put out a full-length album titled Halfway up the Mountain. This same year the band also released another EP titled Bonus Round, which is a reflection on all that it means to be human.

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Excellence in Storytelling

Annette McGivney for Pure Land

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Excellence in Storytelling” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629243642{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Annette McGivney published Pure Land in October 2017, after 10 years of research, with Aquarius Press. Pure Land is the story of the most brutal murder in the history of Grand Canyon and how McGivney’s quest to investigate the victim’s life and death wound up guiding the author through her own life-threatening crisis. On this journey stretching from the southern tip of Japan to the bottom of Grand Canyon, and into the ugliest aspects of human behavior, Pure Land offers proof of the healing power of nature and of the resiliency of the human spirit.

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Excellence in Visual Arts

Mural Mice for 2017 Murals

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Excellence in Visual Arts” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629251685{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]The Mural Mice (Mural Mice Universal artists R.E. Wall and Margaret Dewar) completed eight murals during 2017 in and around Flagstaff: the Bushmaster Park Mural, Summit High School Mural, Flagstaff Visitor Center Train Mural, Route 66 Shield at Flagstaff Visitor Center, the Milligan House Mural, Grand Canyon Spirits Mural, Tuba City Public Library, and Mount Elden Middle School “Gallery of Life” mural.

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Innovation Award

D. Blackhorse, A. Collier, T. Iurato, S. Skabelund for Hope & Trauma in a Poisoned Land

[ultimate_modal modal_title=”Innovation Award” btn_bg_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_hover_color=”#212322″ modal_on_align=”left” btn_text=”Read More” modal_size=”medium” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_color=”rgba(240,233,222,0.9)” overlay_bg_opacity=”” content_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_bg_color=”#212322″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”3″ modal_border_color=”#212322″ modal_border_radius=”0″ init_extra_class=”violamodalbutton” img_size=”40″ close_icon_position=”popup-top-right” header_text_color=”#ffffff” content_text_color=”#212322″ btn_txt_color=”#212322″ header_font_size=”desktop:22px;” content_font_size=”desktop:17px;” button_text_font_size=”desktop:17px;” css_modal_box=”.vc_custom_1623629261238{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Hope and Trauma in a Poisoned Land explored the impact of uranium mining on Navajo lands and people. The art exhibition featured work by twenty local and regional artists, including Navajo and non-Native artists. The exhibition was open August 15 – October 28, 2017, at the Coconino Center for the Arts.

The Project Director was Ann Collier, and Project Consultant Davona Blackhorse. The curators for the exhibition were Shawn Skabelund and Travis Iurato. They planned and developed the four-day training program for participating artists, which took the group to Cameron to hear from Navajo community members and see abandoned uranium mines.

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Business for the Arts

Firecreek Coffee Company

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Firecreek Coffee Company has become well-known in Flagstaff for their locally roasted coffee sold in their café downtown as well as in businesses throughout Northern Arizona. However, Firecreek offers more than just a great cup of coffee to our community – they also open their doors to many arts, music and cultural events. They host a plethora of local art exhibitions, poetry slams, concerts, community meetings, and special events. What makes Firecreek unique compared with other venues is the open accessibility that they offer for local talent to gain exposure.

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Viola Awards Finalists

Special thanks to Nick Geib of Firewatch Media for his video production work. He is the producer behind all the nominee videos. Click here to view our YouTube channel to see all the videos in one place.

Community Impact Organization

Grand Canyon Guitar Society: By Chants

AZ Historical Society: Todos Unidos

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra: Link Up

NAU School of Music: Horizon Concert Series

The Flagstaff Foundry

Community Impact Individual

Janelle Reasor: Marshall Magnet Elementary

Dawn Tucker: Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival

The Mural Mice: 2017 Murals

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Mindy Bell: Flagstaff STEM City

Emerging Artist

Kimberly Jarchow

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Daniel Stigmon

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Ben Craigie

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Ember Crowley

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Quinn Scully

Excellence in Arts Education

Tim McKay

Betsy Hamill

Leslie Ptak Baker

Joe Cornett

Chandra Hemminger

Excellence in Science Education

Rich Krueger

Christine Sapio

Carrie Jenkins

Susan Brown

Excellence in Performing Arts

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Dawn Tucker: The Merry Wives of Windsor

Theatrikos: Avenue Q

Dark Sky Aerial: TILT

Excellence in Music

Donivan Berube: Love is a Dog From Hell

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Cesar Ruiz: For Music Lovers

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Tow’rs: Grey Fidelity

Four Cornered Room: The Wonderful Sounds of Life

Tiny Bird: Half Way Up the Mountain

Excellence in Storytelling

Annette McGivney: Pure Land

Jim Cheff: Mary Farfisa’s Outer Space Radio Theater

Breann Velasco: Todos Unidos

Excellence in Visual Arts

Joe Cornett: Roundball Religion

Caryn Bopp: Aggregate

Shawn Skabelund: You Eat Horse Through My Carrots

Mural Mice: 2017 Murals

Innovation Award

Jim Cheff: Mary Farfisa’s Outer Space Radio Theater

Ann Collier, Davona Blackhorse, Shawn Skabelund, Travis Iurato: Hope and Trauma

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Dark Sky Aerial: TILT

Business for the Arts

Hotel Monte Vista

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Firecreek Coffee Company

Freeman Law PLLC & Nature Exposed Photography

2018’s Viola Awards were made possible through…

the generosity of our Title Sponsor, Northern Arizona University, and our Founding Sponsor, the Babbitt Brothers Foundation, as well as other community members and sponsors.

Title Sponsor

Premier Sponsor

Major Sponsors

Table Sponsors

Aspen Loft Artists / Magella Champagne
12.12 Studios
Mountain Heart Health Services
The Gallery in Williams
Marshall Magnet Elementary School

Coconino County Manager & Board of Supervisors
City of Flagstaff
Babbitt Ford
The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Tom Alexander Photography
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival
Melissa Cripps State Farm
Museum of Northern Arizona

ReMAX Peak Properties
SenesTech
KNAU Arizona Public Radio
Brandy’s Restaurant

Sponsoring the Viola Awards is a great way to show support for our creative community.

There are several different sponsorship levels with varying benefits.

Contact

Celebrating creative success in style.

The Viola Awards have had a meteoric rise to fame in Flagstaff, due mostly to the creative community’s embrace of the event. It was clear from the first annual event on March 5, 2009, that something special was happening. Throughout the 10+ years, elegant dress… fancy flamboyant costumes… Martanne’s Breakfast Palace table on fire… the ground-shaking roar of the crowd when Craig Bowie was announced as Arts Education winner in 2010… Circus Bacchus’ naughty naked video interview as nominees in 2013… the aerial dancers from Flagstaff Aerial Arts hanging off the beam at High Country Conference Center in 2015… Dark Sky Aerial’s feature performance in 2017… the Viola Awards recognize and celebrate talent, contributions and excellence in arts, science, and culture, and do it with style.

What has always been prevalent is the love and support shown by those in attendance for the nominees and award winners. In addition to the artistic giants who have impacted Flagstaff over the years and taken home awards, elected officials at the local, County and State level have attended the event every year. Most importantly though, winners are exalted, nominees are celebrated, and everyone revels in the power of the arts.

Relive the memories and past Viola Awards events below.