"Many people throughout the arts community were considered for this year's awards; however, we feel the final four honorees best represent the hard work, dedication, and overall excellence in the field statewide at this time," said council executive director Margaret Hunt in announcing the awards.

"There are significant steps being taken in this state right now to advance the state of the arts. These and future awardees deserve to be recognized for all they have accomplished."

The recipients will be acknowledged Friday at a luncheon during the council's Mountain West Conference on the Arts at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 3300 S. 1400 West, West Valley City.

Tickets to the luncheon are $40 and can be purchased as part of conference registration, or as a separate event at www.arts.utah.gov. For more information, contact Jen Parsons-Soran at 801-236-7542 or e-mail jparsons@utah.gov.

And the awards go to:

Ruth Draper, Salt Lake City, Lifetime Leadership Award: Draper was director of the Utah Arts Council in the 1970s and '80s and worked tirelessly to help create a foundation for the contemporary art scene in Utah as well as supporting regional arts organizations.

During her 11 years as council director, Draper oversaw an annual budget that grew from $272,000 to more than $2 million and started several of the council's main programs, including Folk Arts, Literary Arts and Public Arts. She also helped organize arts councils in cities and counties throughout Utah.

Draper was a founding officer of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Western States Art Federation. She has served on multiple panels at the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ferron Holt, Washington County, Arts Education Leadership Award: Holt, an educator for 33 years, has taught choral and instrumental music, Spanish, and fifth grade, and for five years has been coordinator of fine arts for Washington County schools.

"We were greatly impressed by his dedication, not to the promotion of his own agenda, but rather, his wholehearted approach to the belief in arts education, and his willingness to fight within his own school system to maintain the programs for the benefit of his students," said a press release announcing his award.

When he isn't working on behalf of students, Holt enjoys gardening, photography, traveling, playing the trombone, and "being a grandpa."

Gail Bunker, St. George, Community Leadership Award: Bunker, a member of the St. George City Council, has been involved in her local arts community for years, serving on planning committees and boards and pushing for a new countywide arts council. She was executive director of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra and Chorale for seven and has experience with dance and choreography and well as playing piano and organ.

Rep. Greg Hughes, Draper, Legislative Leadership Award: During the last legislative session, Hughes drummed up support for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning program, and helped shepherd a bill that ultimately secured $15.82 million over four years to cover the program's operating fees. The program is a collaboration between the Utah Arts Council, State Office of Education, art works for kids!, and the Utah PTA.

A member of the legislature since 2002, Hughes chairs the House Education Committee and is founder and chair of the Conservative Caucus, with 41 Republican House members.

Greg Hughes