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(Pictured left to right: Judge Margorie Rendell, Rick Boni, Liz Boni and Governor Ed Rendell pose prior to 2009 Governor's Awards for the Arts in York on April 8, 2010.)
Governor Edward Rendell declared the county of York the “Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth” for Thursday, April 8, 2010. And on that day you could easily imagine the buzz of chainsaws whirling in celebration around the globe. For on that Thursday York hosted the 2009 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and among the honorees were the Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous.
Since 1980 the Governor’s Awards for the Arts have celebrated the vitality and heritage of the arts in Pennsylvania.
The Award’s five categories (Distinguished Arts Award, Patron Award, Outstanding Arts Leadership and Service for Youth Award, Pennsylvania Creative Community Award and Artist of the Year) recognize not only individual artistic achievement, but also the outstanding contributions of arts organizations, individuals, corporations and foundations that have helped to make the Commonwealth a leader in the cultural life of the nation.
This year’s honorees included Caroline S. Nunan, Outstanding Arts Leadership and Service for Youth Award; Jeff Koons, Distinguished Arts Award; Louis J. Appell, Jr. and Arthur J. Glatfelter, Patron Awards; Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, Pennsylvania Creative Community Award and Del McCoury, Artist of the Year (The Hazlett Memorial Award).
Initiated by Rendell’s Administration the Pennsylvania Creative Community Award recognizes those who have creatively utilized arts and culture to address issues such as youth at risk, quality of life, downtown revitalization, public design, cultural tourism, community planning, business attraction, tolerance, local pride, community cohesion, urban blight, economic development or other local or regional issues of importance.
Former Main Street Manager Rick Vigilone nominated the Rendezvous for the award in late 2007, the nomination was then reviewed and recommended by an advisory panel.
The 2008 awards were held in Williamsport and the 2009 awards were scheduled to be held in York in November 2009, but due to last year’s budget impasse the awards were 2009 awards were postponed to April 2010. The awards ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by the Honorable C. Kim Bracey, Mayor of York, and included comments from Judge Marjorie Rendell, First Lady of the Commonwealth, Governor Edward Rendell, Diane Dalto Chairman, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Rocco Landesman Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts.
During his comments Governor Rendell reiterated the importance of art in our communities, not only for quality of life but also for the positive economic effects that ripple through a community.
Judge Margorie Rendell introduced the Creative Community Award with a description of the Rendezvous and Ridgway while images of Elk County, Ridgway and Rendezvous gatherings of the past 11 years displayed on the screen behind her.
Upon accepting the award Rick Boni looked out across the sold out house of the Strand- Capitol Theater, an audience that included legislators, artists, arts leaders, arts patrons and more only to say “Wow, I’m used to speaking to 200 carvers, this is a little different.”
The crowd welcomed his honesty with heartfelt laughter. Boni proceeded humbly with confidence, comfort and ease as he read his poem titled “The Dream”.
Boni, inspired by the creative energy and spirit of the carving community wrote the poem several years ago after one of the Rendezvous gatherings.
The poem concludes with “if anyone can come up with a better solution for life, please, don’t tell me. I’m very happy living the life of a chainsaw carver.” Light laughter, cheers and applause served as supportive agreement from the crowd.
The ceremony also included opening and closing performances by Nev Jackson and Ken Gehret, York’s Regional Poetry Out Load winner Michael Bahn and 12 and 14 year old brothers fiddle and banjo players Nicholas and George Wagman.
After the ceremony guests attended an open reception held at the Valencia Ballroom.
Later Liz Boni reflected on the day in amazement saying “it was pretty cool all around.” Referring not only to the magnitude of the ceremony and prestigious award but also to the many influential people she met, including Rocco Landemsan, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Before the event Landesman was unaware of the Rendezvous or chainsaw carving as an art form.
In the lull before the the awards ceremony began Liz and Rick were able to speak candidly with Landesman regarding the importance of rural arts and the role of Appalachian Arts Studio and the Rendezvous in Elk County. The discussion made such an impression that Landesman ended his speech during the ceremony by stating “I want to conclude quickly so I can hear more about chainsaw carving.”
Liz Boni elaborated further by stating the daylong event for the couple was “One of the most incredible experiences we’ve ever had” and “it was just great to realize that the state recognizes what we put forth as a community and this award validates those efforts.”
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