Renton Annual Art Show on July 24 presented the first ever Norma Denzer Cugini Emerging Artists Awards for outstanding student artists to three local students.
Funded through a grant from the Renton Community Foundation’s Norma Denzer Cugini Arts Fund, $400 in cash prizes was presented to this year’s winners. First prize of $300 went to Charlie Jones for her work, “The Joy of Sun.” Second prize of $50 went to Everett Russell for his work, “The Volcano.” And honorable mention and $50 went to Casey Repp, for his work, “Botanical Feathers.”
The fund was created in late 2013, as a surprise birthday gift for Mrs. Cugini. Her three children – Robert Cugini, Crissa Cugini, and Cathy Cugini O’Neill – wanted to honor her work with the art show. They made the initial donation to begin the fund, which was then added to by friends and family members.
The Renton Annual Art Show was initially started by Helen Anderson in 1961. Anderson ran Renton Clothing at the Renton Shopping Center, now Fred Meyer. Back then, it was only supported by the merchants and was quite small. But the second year, Anderson went to Norma Cugini and asked her to become the first chairman.
“I agreed,” Cugini said. “And we partnered with Allied Arts that second year.”
From there, the art show took off.
Today, Renton Annual Art Show is a non-profit, all volunteer organization that produces an exhibit of work by outstanding Northwest artists to the community during the IKEA Renton River Days festival. The show is juried by recognized professional artists, art educators and knowledgeable art collectors.
In those early days however, volunteers had to come out in front of the judging panel, holding up the artwork. Norma brought her three little children to help.
“They felt very put upon,” Cugini said, laughing. “But they loved every minute.”
Cathy Cugini agrees. “She used to make us volunteer every year. But we all have very fond memories of it.”
Norma Cugini has been honored as Renton Citizen of the Year (2009) and was a founding member of the Renton Community Foundation board of directors, where she also has a fund. She has served on a number of other boards, including the Seattle Opera, and the Opera Guild. She was also a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Ballet board of directors.
“She has been a tireless advocate of the arts,” said Lynn Bohart, executive director of the Renton Community Foundation. “And frankly, everyone who knows Norma loves her. It’s very fitting that there should be an arts award in her name.”
“Having the award in Norma’s name is very prestigious because of her relationship to the art show,” saaid Vicki Faull, Renton Annual Art Show board chair. “She was instrumental in keeping the show going. And now, the cash awards will attract more students.”
And that’s the point, according to the Cugini siblings. In the past, student winners received only token awards.
“The goal is to get more students to participate and to elevate the awards,” says Cathy Cugini.
For more information on the Norma Denzer Cugini Arts Fund, you may contact the Renton Community Foundation at 425-282-5199.
