Supporting The Arts in Richland (STAR)

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2023 STAR Awards Announced Soon!

This award recognizes two recipients for their outstanding contribution and support of the arts in Richland, Washington. The awards will be presented to one individual and to one organization/business.

Nomination deadline was Thursday, January 11, 2024. The Richland Arts Commission will consider submittals at their next workshop. The chosen recipients will be presented with an award at a Richland City Council meeting in February or March of 2024 as schedules allow.

For further information or inquiries, please contact:
Julie Piper, Recreation Manager
509-942-7501
jpiper@ci.richland.wa.us

Please note, recipients may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period. Awards may not be presented if suitable nominations are not received. For a list of past recipients, please scroll to the lower part of this page.

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Congratulations to the 2022 Winners and Nominations

The Richland Art Commission is proud to announce the winners for the 2022 Supporting the Arts Recognition (STAR) Awards.

Individual Recognition

Ellicia Elliott (received 7 separate nominations)

Ellicia Elliot and the Rude Mechanicals 2022 STAR award individual

The individual award was presented to Ellicia Elliott, co-founder and artistic director of the Rude Mechanicals, a local performing arts organization producing Shakespeare and Shakespeare-inspired plays. Ellicia has lived in Richland for 18 years. She has worked with the Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland Players Theatre, the Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre and the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. She also spent eight years as the theater director at Richland High School. Her role in the Rude Mechanicals has been profound. From co-founding the non-profit, to ensuring Shakespeare is accessible and fun for all ages, to producing the areas first free Shakespeare in the Park. This free, family friendly, outdoor performance of Shakespeare in the Park. Before the show each night, Ellicia hosts a prologue of sorts, in which she talked the audience through the major characters and plot setup of the play so that they would be prepared to enjoy what they were about to watch.

Creating a theatrical experience in the middle of a public park required massive work. With Ellicia’s vision and commitment, hundreds of all ages enjoying this immersive experience.

In Summary, Ellicia has been a committed supporter (and creator) of the arts in Richland for almost 2 decades, and her newest endeavor, the free-admission production in Howard Amon Park, is the perfect demonstration of that.

Organization Recognition

Three River’s Folklife Society

For the past 26 years, the Three River’s Folklife Society has hosted what is now one of the largest folk music events in Eastern Washington.

Before Covid, the Tumbleweed Festival drew in about 4,500 attendees throughout the weekend. When the pandemic arrived, this non-profit organization pulled together all of their resources and created a virtual event, which they also keep going today. In 2021 and 2022, this virtual event included 200 performances, concerts and live stream workshops all over the world, including Ireland, Scotland and Germany.

The three-day festival, which is always Labor Day Weekend, is a long-term, reoccurring cultural musical experience that plays a significant role in Richland’s art and entertainment attractions.

2017 - Tri-Cities Steel Band Association | Patrick Fleming
2016 - Fox-Vance Family Foundation | Nancy Doran
2015 - HAPO | Robert Waltrous
2014 - Tri-Cities Chinese American Association | Debra Rogo
2013 - RPBI (Market at the Parkway) | Chuck Eaton
2012 - Tumbleweed Art Studio / Jo Brodzinksi
2011 - Battelle | Justin Raffa
2010 - (not awarded) | Tom Powers
2009 - Columbia Center Rotary | Fred Dixon
2008 - Allied Arts Association | Artis Vaughan
2007 - (not awarded) / | Jerry Greenfield