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Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s Fritz Stansell receives
Governor’s Award for Arts and Culture
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Fritz Stansell, Founder and President of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, was honored with a 2007 Governor’s Award for Arts and Culture at the 22nd annual gala awards ceremony at the Detroit Institute of the Arts on Thursday evening, November 29, 2007.
Stansell’s award came in the Non-profit Arts/Cultural Leader category and recognized his more than 40 years of service to the children of Michigan in his leadership role at Blue Lake, an international center for arts education.
Along with Mr. Stansell, the other finalists in the Non-profit Arts/Cultural Leader category were Peg Upmeyer, Director of Arts and Scraps of Detroit; and Bobbie Gaunt, Board Chair of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.
Fritz Stansell states that this award is “recognition of the extraordinary team effort of literally thousands of gifted educators, artists, administrators, support staff, and Board members over the course of the more than forty-year history of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Our ongoing mission is to encourage the development of the artistic creativity in our students as a means of enriching their lives.”
Although Mr. Stansell was not able to attend the awards ceremony, the award was accepted on his behalf by David Bower, Blue Lake’s Development Associate, who read the following statement:
“I am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and I offer my profound thanks to ArtServe Michigan, the Governor’s Award Peer Review Panel and Final Selection Committee, and Governor Granholm. I am also proud that Blue Lake’s more than 40 years of service as an international center for arts education has been recognized in a category with creative and innovative organizations such as the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and Arts and Scraps, along with their forward-looking leaders and staffs. The work of all the individuals and organizations honored here this evening proves that the arts can be a vital force in enriching the lives of the people of Michigan when we respond imaginatively to perceived needs, think intentionally about providing new programs, and remain true to the vision and mission that we have set for ourselves. On behalf of everyone at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, I thank you, again, for this tremendous honor.”
The Governor’s Awards ceremony was one of the first events held in the newly-renovated Detroit Institute of the Arts. The six-year, $158 million renovation included a complete re-installation of all galleries and infrastructure upgrades to all portions of the original 1927 building and its two added wings.
The Governor’s Awards for Arts and Culture are administered by ArtServe Michigan, which describes itself as “a statewide nonprofit organization enhances [that] the quality of life in Michigan by fostering creativity in living, learning and working.” Considered to be Michigan’s highest honor in arts, these awards have carried the enthusiastic support of Michigan governors since 1985. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm was in attendance for the gala and addressed the honorees and other attendees.
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