Normadene Carpenter Awards 2020
Honoring Richard Bush, Joey Cattone, Lanny Langston, and Jane Van Camp
Every year Arts and Culture El Dorado bestows the Normadene Carpenter Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment to culture and creativity. In 2020 we honored the memory of four bright lights in our community who were great supporters of the arts.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, the 2020 Normadene Carpenter Awards were celebrated virtually. We invited the community to join us in recognizing the life and legacy of these four extraordinary individuals, whom we lost recently in a short span of months.
Donations to the Normadene Carpenter Award help support Arts and Culture El Dorado's ongoing programs. As a special honor this year, we have established a Young Artist Award in the name of each of our 2020 Honorees, to be awarded on an annual basis. Please scroll down to read more about the Young Artist Awards.
Dick Bush earned his PhD in Metallurgical and Materials Science Engineering at Stanford University in 1961. In 1973, he established Madroña Vineyards, one of the first vineyards and wineries in El Dorado County. Dick was passionate about the arts in all forms and was a longtime supporter of the El Dorado County Community Concert Association and El Dorado Arts Council (now Arts and Culture El Dorado), for whom he served as a board member. He and his wife Leslie assisted in funding theaters to showcase El Dorado County’s talent. Dick was also a member of the American River Conservancy and cared deeply about any environmental issue that affected his community.
To honor Dick, we have established the Richard H. Bush Young Artist Award in Music.
Joey Cattone was a bright light in the world of visual art in El Dorado County. A prolific self-taught artist, Joey worked in many artistic mediums and her work is held in private and public collections. A dedicated community supporter of the arts, Joey volunteered for and supported the efforts of Arts and Culture El Dorado, was a member of the El Dorado Hills Art Association, and Tahoe Art League. Her works have appeared on the cover of Vine Times magazine, been featured in Style Magazine, and she was voted “#1 Favorite Artist” for two years running. Joey has also been featured in the Folsom Connect. Her painting Serenity was purchased by Marshall Medical Center for their new wing.
To honor Joey, we have established the Joey Cattone Young Artist Award in Art.
Lanny Langston earned his degree in Drama at University California, Santa Barbara, in 1968, then went on to proudly serve his country in the Navy. While serving he formed a theater group to entertain both his fellow troops and their families. Lanny was described as a Renaissance Man. He had many interests including all aspects of theater, photography, genealogy, and travel. Lanny was active in Theatre El Dorado, and co-founded Imagination Theater with Peter Wolfe. He acted in and directed many productions throughout his life. While working in Imagination Theater, Lanny mentored many people and helped to foster their love of theater.
To honor Lanny, we have established the Lanny Langston Young Artist Award in Theater.
Jane Van Camp earned her bachelor of arts and teaching credential at the University of California, Davis, and then became an elementary school teacher who was beloved by many students. A profound lover of the arts, Jane also had an entrepreneurial spirit. She ran a local communications and media business for many years, and loved teaching, traveling, wildlife and the outdoors. Passionate about community, Jane gave much of her energy to causes and organizations which were meaningful to her. She leaves behind hundreds of poems, sketches, art photos, paintings, nature films and writing awards.
To honor Jane, we have established the Jane Van Camp Young Artist Award in Nature-Inspired Art (any medium).
Support Arts and Culture El Dorado by making a donation to the
2020 Normadene Carpenter Awards.
Everyone who donates will receive a printed commemorative program.
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Young Artist Awards
Arts and Culture El Dorado will continue to honor the memory of Dick, Joey, Lanny, and Jane by establishing the Young Artist Awards. These awards will be presented to outstanding high school juniors and seniors in each of four categories: music, visual art, theater, and nature-inspired art of any discipline.
Award criteria will be announced in the fall, and students will be nominated by high school teachers in El Dorado County. The families of each of our “bright lights” will participate in the selection process, and an honorarium of $500 will be presented to each student at an awards ceremony in the spring, which will be free and open to the community. The honorarium may be used for any purpose but is intended to help the student further his or her passion in the art form.
The four students that we honor with these awards represent the talent, thoughtfulness, generosity, and commitment to our community that make El Dorado County such a special place to live.
To see previous Normadene Carpenter Award recipients click here.
Please make checks payable to Arts and Culture El Dorado, P.O. Box 2400, Placerville, CA 95667
Tax ID # 68-0049447