The recipients of the 2007 Mendocino County Art Champion Awards were: John Fisher in the category of Artist; Robert Rhoades in the category of Individual Patron; The Willits Nickel and Dime in the category of Business; and the Tree of Life Charter School in the category of Education. Nominations for the Art Champion awards were received from members of the community and the winners were selected by the Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County.
They said the following about John Fisher:
Fort Bragg artist John Fisher is being honored for his artistic excellence and commitment to community. During the Summer of 2007, Fisher worked nearly every day in full view of the public on the grounds of the Mendocino Art Center creating a monumental sculpture from a ten-ton block of limestone. By carving on-site, Fisher provided the public with a rare chance to see the creative process at play. He greeted everyone who stopped by the work site with a friendly hello, and regularly engaged in educational and philosophical discussions about carving, marble, art history, and Italy (where he lived for 20 years) and its quarries. A community member who nominated Fisher for this award described her experience as “truly inspired and grateful for not only the beautiful sculpture and John’s artistic vision, but his generosity of spirit.” Fisher will donate one half of the proceeds of the sale of his sculpture to the Mendocino Art Center’s Building Renovation Project.