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Contact:
Catherine Paparella, Program Director
330.762.8555 phone; 330.762.6622 fax
cpaparella@downtownakron.com
Photo Opportunities Available |
| FIRST NIGHT(r) Akron 2003 Wins Array
of Awards! |
| Downtown Akron Partnership's premier event,
FIRST NIGHT(r) Akron, recently returned from the annual First Night International
Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida with an armful of awards! With seven award
categories, First Night International recognized Akron's community celebration of the arts
and "official New Year's Eve celebration" with two, "first place
awards"; three, "one of top-three" awards; and one honor roll award. FIRST
NIGHT Akron 2003's poster design by Leandra Drumm and Tim Benninghoff won the 1st Place
Prism Award, FIRST NIGHT Akron 2003's "Mask-Making" won the 1st Place Golden
Shoestring Award, Bruce Ford and Carl Palmer's photos were two of the top-three in the
First Foto Award category and Patty Dyer was selected for the Volunteer Honor Roll. First
Night International is the umbrella organization for approximately 160 cities around the
world. These participating member cities receive the rights to create annual FIRST NIGHT
celebrations on New Year's Eve - a non-alcoholic, family-friendly community celebration of
the arts. An annual conference is held in a different FIRST NIGHT city early in the year.
First Night International honors the FIRST NIGHT cities that display extraordinary talent,
cost-conscious artistic projects and excel in furthering the overall mission of promoting
and involving the community in the arts.
First Night International board members, staff, industry professionals and member
cities' votes result in presenting awards in seven categories: Button and Poster Design;
Creative Programming; First "Foto"; Golden Shoestring $300 or under; Golden
Shoestring $301 - $600; and Volunteer Honor Roll.
FIRST NIGHT(r) Akron 2003 - Awards and Recognition from First Night International
Conference, March 2003
- Prism Award for Excellence (First Place)
for Poster Design - Artists Leandra Drumm & Tim Benninghoff Uniqueness in graphic
design and quality of production in capturing the First Night spirit on the poster.
- Golden Shoestring Award (First Place) for
"Mask Making " -- cost conscious artistic projects produced on a budget of $300
or under. Unusual uses of space, unique ways of encouraging public participation and
interaction, innovative concepts particularly appropriate for New Year's rituals and all
other programmatic ideas that enhance community and festivity.
- Button Design Award, Artist Leandra Drumm
(One of the top three)
Uniqueness in graphic design and quality of production in capturing the First Night spirit
on the button.
- First Foto Award: Bruce Ford, City of Akron
(One of the top three)
Photographs that depict one of the Four Pillars of First Night: Community, Celebration,
New Year's Eve, Arts, or the overall First Night concept.
- First Foto Award: Carl Palmer, Wild Life
Media (One of the top three)
Photographs that depict one of the Four Pillars of First Night: Community, Celebration,
New Year's Eve, Arts, or the overall First Night concept.
- Volunteer Honor Roll, Ms. Patty Dyer, Akron
Public Schools
(For extraordinary dedication and selfless contribution to the event's success.)
People who go beyond the call of duty for their local First Night Celebrations.
"This was definitely 'our year'," states program
director Catherine Paparella. "We submit nominations from our event every year, and
have received awards for landing in the top-three in many of the different categories,
which of course is thrilling in itself. But I have to admit - being recognized as the
best-of-the-best is a bit more fun!" Paparella continues, "I wish I could take
all the credit, but in actuality, the accolades belong to our co-founders, The City of
Akron and The Akron Beacon Journal, artists Leandra Drumm and Tim Benninghoff,
photographers Bruce Ford (City of Akron) and Carl Palmer (Wild Life Media), our committee
members, volunteers and the entire community who breath life into this event year after
year!"
The outcome of our unique community support is seven consecutive and successful New
Year's Eve celebrations. The popularity and affection of FIRST NIGHT Akron is a result of
the collaboration and commitment of the program's co-founders, The City of Akron and The
Akron Beacon Journal. Much credit is due to the co-founders and committee members whose
perseverance and dedication delivered this beloved event to Akron, Ohio. Downtown Akron
Partnership president, Ms. Pat Munka says, "This is a direct reflection of the City
and Mayor Plusquellic's allegiance to support the community in creating a city with
pride."
Planning, organizing and fundraising have already begun for FIRST NIGHT Akron 2004
(Wednesday, December 31, 2003). Downtown Akron Partnership and FIRST NIGHT co-founders,
are looking forward to presenting another award-winning New Year's Eve celebration of the
arts!
For more information on Downtown Akron Partnership's FIRST NIGHT Akron, and their other
endeavors, call 330-762-9550 or logon to www.downtownakron.com.
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