Denver Post: Top 10 Art Shows of 2008

Denver Post art critic Kyle MacMillan has named the Fine Arts Center's exhibition Walt Kuhn: An Imaginary History of the West as one of 2008's 'Top 10 Art Shows' in Colorado. Curated by Blake Milteer, this 29-painting suite of images of the old west is a part of the FAC Permanent Collection and is on display until Jan. 4.

Rubald earns Denver Post 'Ovation Award'

The Denver Post awarded its 2008 Ovation Award for 'Best Year by an Actor' to Mark Rubald, who played Sargeant Toomey in the FAC Theatre Company's production of Biloxi Blues this season. Rubald also played Mr. Potter in the Arvada Center's A Wonderful Life, among other fine performances. FAC Scenic Designer Christopher L. Sheley was nominated for his work on last season's Sunday in the Park with George.

Up next for the FAC Theatre Company, The Full Monty, which opens Jan. 23.

Margot Lane named FAC 'Living Treasure'

At the Dec. 18 Annual Member Meeting, Sue Tyson, Chair of the FAC Advisory Council, announced that Margot Lane was the recipient of the 2008 Living Treasure award for her outstanding contribution to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Incidently, Sue Tyson was the 2007 recipient.

The Independent: Best of 2008

The Indy named the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center the city's best Cultural Attraction or Museum for the third year in a row, writing:

With new CEO Sam Gappmayer in place, and superb curators like Tariana Navas-Nieves and Blake Milteer – not to mention the staggeringly gorgeous, year-old, $28 million expansion to the one and only Southwestern Art Deco building – the Fine Arts Center’s livin’ as large as a Dale Chihuly bowl filled with ice cream and sparklers. Not surprisingly, this most high-profile member of our scene has won the Cultural Attraction of Museum award in each of the three years we’re offered it. It’s embraced a more collaborative spirit in recent programming, even inviting local artists to create works in conjunction with the Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe exhibit. By the way, the FAC’s not only the place to be for First Thursday wine tastings and gala show openings, but also for outstanding theater productions put on by the award-winning, in-house FAC Theatre Company.

Roberta Jacyshyn wins 2007 Denver Post Ovation Award

On Dec. 30, the FAC Theatre Company’s Musical Director Roberta Jacyshyn earned a 2007 Denver Post Ovation Award for “Best Orchestra” for Into the Woods; the production garnered nine nominations, including “Best Musical,” “Best Ensemble,” and “Best Director.” In 2006, the Company earned the Ovation Award for “Best Musical” with Pirates of Penzance.

Jacyshyn, the Musical Director or musician or both for every single FAC musical since 1984’s Bye Bye Birdie – about 80 productions – is saying goodbye to Colorado Springs. Jacyshyn will be playing keyboards for Sunday in the Park; it will be her farewell performance as she and her husband, Mark Rose, will be moving to Florida. Rose has been the primary reeds player for the Theatre Company for a number of years.

“Roberta and Mark will be greatly missed,” said Alan Osburn, Producing Artistic Director of the FAC Theatre Company. “Both have played integral roles in the legacy of our musical success and we wish them well in their future endeavors.”