The Bee an Arts Champion Award, presented annually since 2006, honors the legacy of Bee Vradenburg by recognizing an individual who has demonstrated sustained, passionate and innovative commitment toward advancing the arts in the Pikes Peak region. This award is presented each spring at the Arts / Business / Education Awards and is accompanied with a $1,000 gift to an arts nonprofit selected by the honoree.
2009 – Thomas Wilson
Quite simply, Thomas Wilson is the master conductor of collaboration. It takes more than waving a baton to bring together musicians, artists, students and a range of nonprofit arts organizations, but Wilson does it with ease. Wilson excels at aligning diverse segments of the arts community for collaborations that are artistically invigorating and always exciting. He especially provides a forum for new works to be premiered and local artists to have their moment on stage. Wilson serves as associate conductor of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and music director of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Wilson also serves on the music faculties of Colorado College and the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and he is a frequent guest conductor across the country. He also founded Young Concert Artists, now called Peakharmonic Youth Orchestra, and he serves on the steering committee to form a cultural plan for the region.
2008 – David Siegel
Artistry and leadership are embodied in David Siegel, who graduated from Palmer High School in 2008. His achievements are many: musician for four years with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony and six years with the Colorado Springs Conservatory; he’s been selected for the Mayor’s 100 Teens; in 2005 he was a winner in the Pikes Peak Philharmonic’s Concerto Competition; and he has performed for the Shivers Celebration. In 2007 alone, David gave scores of outreach performances to nonprofit and civic groups, often speaking about the role of the arts in his life and the life of the community. Along with fellow Conservatory student Jacob Eichengreen, David secured sponsors and provided overall leadership for the annual Battle of the Bands. Those are just a few of the accomplishments of this talented violinist who has touched thousands in the community through his performances and leadership.
2007 – Matt Mayberry
As cultural services manager for the City of Colorado Springs, Matt Mayberry oversees several city properties, including the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. The efforts of Matt and his staff truly came to fruition in 2006 with the yearlong Pike Bicentennial celebration, including three exquisite exhibits, scores of informational programs, and even the commissioning of an original opera. Matt continues to seek out the finest of cultural programming and exhibits for the museum. Perhaps most importantly, Matt is a passionate advocate for the “authenticity” of our community – ensuring that heritage and the arts are foremost in telling the story of this region’s unique charm and identity.
2006 – Henry Tippie
Henry Tippie infuses the arts in all aspects of his life. As the first and a long-serving president of the board of the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration, he helped KCIC to flourish in bold new directions. Henry also has devoted his leadership skills by serving two terms as president of the Rampart High School Band Boosters Organization and through a variety of roles at Vista Grande Baptist Church. Henry’s dedication to the community is evidenced in the business world as well. He served as general manager of Salem Communications radio stations KBIQ, KGFT and KZNT, and has served as president of the board of the Better Business Bureau.
Bee An Arts Champion Award
