Connie Whitlock Receives 2013 West Valley Arts Council's Champion of the Arts Award

Connie Whitlock, an artist, advocate, educator and visionary, received the 2013 West Valley Arts Council's Champion of the Arts Award at the 20^th anniversary Diamond Ball, a Shanghai Soiree, on Saturday, April 13 at The Wigwam, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd in Litchfield Park.

Whitlock, whose public art pieces are on exhibit throughout the West Valley, founded WHAM (What's Happenin' Art Movement) in 2006. Today, WHAM provides studio space for artists, organizes classes to promote life-long learning, arranges monthly art walks and coordinates the Junior WHAM program to encourage the next generation of artists.

"Connie's incredible advocacy for the arts goes far beyond just words," said West Valley Arts Council Executive Director Bernadette Mills. "Her commitment, dedication and passion are reflected in her singular focus on building a growing and vibrant arts and cultural community in the West Valley. We can only imagine what is yet to come."

Also at the Diamond Ball, the West Valley Arts Council announced that six arts organizations had been awarded a total of $7,500 in grants. Recipients included WHAM, Imagine Rosefield, The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, West Valley Symphony, West Valley Youth Orchestra and Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival.

"My dreams that WHAM Art Association would become a place to connect, learn, work on art, and promote art in the WEST Valley have become a reality with the efforts of many WHAM and community supporters," Whitlock said. "Art is all about people connecting to express themselves in a unique way. Our motto is we are Inclusive not exclusive and that WHAM is bringing "unity to our community through art. We welcome all to visit and get involved."

Cancer Treatment Centers of America was the lead sponsor of the Diamond Ball with additional support provided by Treasures Custom Jewelers; APS; Arizona State University; Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc.; CORE Construction, Inc.; Cox Communications; DMB/Marley Park, DMB/Verrado, EPCOR; Gammage & Burnham, Maricopa Community College District/Estrella Mountain Community College; Okland Construction; Orcutt/Winslow; SCF Arizona; SRP; West Valley Hospital; West Valley Resort, an enterprise of the Tohono O'Odham Nation; Wells Fargo Bank; The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa, Wilhelm Automotive, West Phoenix/Redhawk, and the Cleveland Indians.

Amy Gould; Cheryl Street, of Hampton Inn & Suites; and Jill Knaak, of Home Instead, co-chaired the event.

The Diamond Ball is the largest fund-raising event in the West Valley. First organized in 1994, the gala supports the West Valley Arts Council's many programs and initiatives including the grant program. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2 million dollars for the arts.

For more information about the West Valley Arts Council, visit westvalleyarts.org.

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