2012 Muses, Helios awards presented

Rebecca Taylor, who spent 25 years teaching fine art to students before retiring recently, was given the 12th Annual Tribute of the Muses award Thursday evening at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

Taylor was chosen in recognition of her many years of support for arts in the community, and for being an outstanding artist herself.

“I am just so honored,” she said after the ceremony. “I feel so blessed. I don't really have words. I am still emotional.

“My whole life I have done art and loved what I do, and to be honored for something that you love is an honor in itself, so I am very grateful. I want to thank everyone for their support over the years.”

Taylor has been lauded before for her efforts to better the community. In 2006, she was named Teacher of the Year for Yuma-area high schools.

Even though she retired as an educator, Taylor continues to create art and participates in many events to better the community. Her ceramic art and paintings are available for purchase through the North End Artist Cooperative.

Also during the ceremony, Anne Foley was presented the Helios award. That award is given to an outstanding newcomer in the arts as an artist, advocate or person who supports the arts.

“I really want to thank everyone for this award,” Foley said. “It is really an amazing honor.”

Foley began working at the Historic Yuma Theatre at age 15 and within a year helped create a new theater program known as “Movin' to the Movies.”

Since then, she has become involved with the Yuma Art Center's Infinite Imagination Youth Theatre group. Over the years, she has helped direct and inspire hundreds of young people in performances including “Peter Pan,” “Seussical, Jr.,” Princess Ariel,” “The Pride of Simba,” “High School Musical” and “Fame, Jr.”

Foley recently became a certified teacher but still finds time to direct theatrical productions at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

The selection of the honorees was made by the Yuma Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission and the Public Art Committee.

The awards reflect the excellence exhibited by the recipients in their chosen arts field, their years of service in the local arts community, their leadership, their arts advocacy or their encouragement of others to become involved in the arts. Nominees can represent the visual arts, music, dance, theater or arts philanthropy.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.