ARTIST
 Congratulations to Ed Mell
Born and raised in Phoenix, Mell has been a working artist in Arizona for more than 40 years. His work elevates the public profile of arts in the state through his unique blend of cubist forms that capture Arizona landscapes and depicts the brilliance of the Arizona sky. Mell received the award, a monoprint by Joe Ray, from last year's Artist Award winner Martin Moreno.
ARTS IN EDUCATION, INDIVIDUAL
 Congratulations to Beth Lessard PhD, TempeThe chair of the ASU Dance Department from 1977 to 1993 and professor until her retirement in 1999, Dr.Lessard elevated the dual degree path for dancers interested in both teaching and creating and performing dance. She accepted the award, a painting by Emily Costello, from 2011 honoree Ann Ludwig.
ARTS IN EDUCATION, ORGANIZATION
 Congratulations to Arizona School for the Arts, Phoenix
A high-achieving school for students who want to work with professional artists as part of the core school experience, the school has earned a national reputation. Head of school Leah Fregulia-Roberts and Board President John Snider accepted the award, an encaustic by Judith Walsh, from Joel Hiller, president of Arizona Action for the Arts.
BUSINESS
 Congratulations to JP Morgan Chase Bank
JP Morgan Chase strives to increase community access to rich cultural resources that foster creativity, promote self-expression, celebrate diversity, strengthen the environment and contribute to educational excellence. Chase Vice President Cree Zischke accepted the award, a monoprint by Fausto Fernandez, from Michael Dunne of Cox Communications, Southern Arizona, last year's honoree.
COMMUNITY
 Congratulations to The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, Prescott
The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, the oldest in Arizona, will celebrate its 25th anniversary in August to support its mission to educate, promote and preserve cowboy poetry, music and western heritage culture and history. Chair James Buchanan accepted the award, an encaustic by Catherine Nash, from Barbara Fenster of Free Arts of Arizona, the 2011 winner.
INDIVIDUAL
 This year, we were fortunate enough to have two nominees who in the opinion of our Selection Panel were deserving of the honor.
Congratulations to Robert Breunig, PhD Flagstaff When Robert Breunig arrived as director in late 2003, the Museum of Northern Arizona was in imminent danger of closing. The museum had lost its American Association of Museums accreditation and its severe financial condition required that 20 items its collection be sold to pay for operating expenses and cover the deficit. Since those dark days, Dr. Breunig has guided the museum back on a path of financial stability and organizational credibility.
Congratulations to Colleen Jennings-Roggensack
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack has been presenting the performing arts for 33 years and will celebrate her 20th anniversary as Executive Director for ASU Gammage and Assistant Vice President for Cultural Affairs in June. Her leadership and her mission at ASU has been to "Connect Communities" by enabling patrons, artists and the entire community to discover new avenues of intercultural communication through the arts.
Last year's honoree, Carol Whiteman presented the awards - a stoneware piece by Julius Forzano to Dr. Breunig and a glass piece by George Gaines-Averbeck to Ms. Jennnings-Roggensack.
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