Thank you!

I’m extremely honored to receive an Arts Leadership Award from the Alameda County Arts Commission.

The five Arts Leadership Award recipients represent each district of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors:
District One - Susan L. Rose
District Two - James Petrillo
District Three - Debra Owen
District Four - Marion Coleman
District Five - Judith Smith

Selected for their outstanding achievements and commitment to enhancing the quality of life, providing leadership
in the arts, serving as a role model to others and contributions impacting the arts community and the residents
of Alameda County.

Award Recipients will be honored in conjunction with celebration of California Arts Day and National Arts and
Humanities Month.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a commendation ceremony during the Alameda County Board
of Supervisors public meeting.

10:30am -12:00, Tuesday, Sept 29, 2009

Alameda County Administration Building, Board Chambers, 1221 Oak St, 5th flr, Oakland.

Frank Bette asked that his estate be, "....a place for meetings, readings, showings and other creative doings.
" He didn't say for painters, poets and sculptors. He didn't mention photographers. Nor did he specify beginners,
emerging, young, or famous artists. Actually he didn't say anything about artists at all! He said "a place for ...
creative doings," and presented some options like "meetings, readings and showings." I believe he wanted
his estate to be a place for the whole community of creative thinkers and doers.

In six years our creative community has breathed life into Franks dream. I love saying, "We're the place where
you are inspired and challenged to explore and develop your artistic voice, unleashing your creativity." "Doing"
prevails, and "a place" is found for everyone. All are encouraged to take their personal pleasure in the process
of creative growth.

My role in this adventure is to be the FBCA face and cheerleader advocate for our community of creative doers;
writers, musicians, artists, art enthusiasts, performers, spectators, patrons, explorers. I make an effort to inspire
participation. I make sure that FB is willing to play a supportive role in their artistic journey by being open to
possibilities, and ready to engage in another's creative vision. I embrace ideas, rally resources and maintain an
inclusive perspective and positive "can do" attitude.

Arts Leadership Award

Island Article

Props are due to Frank Bette Center for the Arts’ Debra Owen, who is set to receive an Alameda County
Arts Leadership Award.

Owen, who has served as executive director of (and head cheerleader for) the center since 2004, bested
three other nominees for the award, which will be presented at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’
September 29 meeting.

The watercolor artist and onetime member of the California Watercolor Association board is credited with
expanding Frank Bette’s offerings to a dozen onsite exhibitions per year and 10 satellite exhibitions (they’re in
places including Alameda Towne Centre, Eyewise Optometry, Gallagher & Lindsey and Shay’s Cafe); expanding
art classes in traditional and digital media; organizing literary and poetry events; and coordinating the arts center’s
week-long, 40-artist Plein Air Paintout event, all with volunteers.

Owen also founded the “Next Step” artist alliance (she thinks someone from the Alliance must have nominated
her for the award).

“I’m extremely honored to be listed among all of these leaders,” Owen said, adding that she’d like to arrange
some get-togethers with the other award winners.

Owen said she thinks the center’s namesake wanted it to be a hub for the entire creative communities, not just
visual artists. “I’m so proud of the work our creative community has done in six years to breathe life into
Frank’s dream,” she said.

The award “recognizes individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions impacting the arts community
and the residents of Alameda County,” according to the press release that names the winners. Nominees are
submitted by members of the public to the Alameda County Arts Commission, which selects five winners (one
from each supervisorial district in the county).

The Alameda County Arts Commission is pleased to announce –

The 2009 Alameda County Arts Leadership Awards Program recipients have been selected. Twenty-two outstanding
individuals were nominated for this year’s program. The Members of the Alameda County Arts Commission
acknowledge all of the nominees for their commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Alameda County, providing
leadership in the arts, and serving as a role model to others. Additionally, the Arts Commission would like to thank
the citizens who submitted the nominations, thereby creating an opportunity for all of the nominees to be recognized
for their important work.

The nominees who were not selected have been honored by the Members of the Alameda County Board of
Supervisors through a Certificate of Recognition that was mailed to each individual. The five Award Recipients will
be honored by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors through a commendation ceremony presented in
conjunction with the County’s celebration of California Arts Day and National Arts and Humanities Month. The Arts
Commission will release a press advisory about this event in mid September.

2009 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award Recipients*

Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District One: Susan L. Rose
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Two: James Petrillo
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Three: Debra Owen
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Four: Marion Coleman
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Five: Judith Smith

List of Nominees* Nominees Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District One
Sue Evans, Susan L. Rose
Nominees Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Two
James Petrillo, Lilia Reynoso, Kate Sprotte
Nominees Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Three
Audrey Brown, Fredrick Chacon, Roberto Costa, Debra Owen
Nominees Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Four
Marion Coleman, Jimi Evins, Raymond (Pat) Parr, Winnie Thompson
Nominees Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Five
Kara Fortune, Violet Juno, Nicole Neditch, Lisa Norman, Ayodele “Wordslanger” Nzinga, Khalil Shaheed,
Sylvia Sherman, Judith Smith

*An abbreviated description of the nominee’s achievements is included below

Nominations for the Arts Leadership Awards Program were submitted by the public and the Alameda County
Arts Commission reviewed the nominations and selected five individuals to receive the award, one from each of
the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ districts. This program recognizes individuals for their outstanding
achievements and contributions impacting the arts community and the residents of Alameda County. Arts Leadership
Award nominees must be residents of Alameda County and involved in any arts discipline such as music, dance,
visual arts, literature, theater, film and video, traditional crafts and folk arts, and new media. The nominees
participate in a wide range of arts activities in Alameda County. The nominees may be artists, staff or board members
at arts organizations, volunteers, donors, supporters, or arts advocates.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors commendation ceremony to recognize the Arts Leadership Award
Recipients will take place during the Board’s public meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. The meeting will begin
at 10:30am and will end at approximately 12:00 noon. The event will take place at the Alameda County
Administration Building, Board Chambers, 1221 Oak Street, 5th floor, Oakland. Friends and family members of the
award recipients are welcome to attend. Award Recipients: Please RSVP regarding your attendance to the September
29th event to Rachel Osajima at (510) 271-5162 or rachel.osajima@acgov.org.

For more information about this program or the award recipients and their achievements, please contact the
Alameda County Arts Commission Office at (510) 208-9646 or by email at artscommission@acgov.org.

Thank you,
Rachel Osajima
Executive Director,
Alameda County Arts Commission