January 12, 2007
The Hector Ubertalli Award for Visual Artists is a $2,500 honor given in the name of the late Palm Beach County painter and sculptor Hector Ubertalli. The 2006 recipient is Sibel Kocabasi of Lake Worth. The Ubertalli Award goes to a Palm Beach County emerging or professional visual artist whose work emulates excellence in the field and contributes to the advancement of our quality of life in Palm Beach County by mentoring, teaching, or sharing work methods with others in our community
Kocabasi’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including a recent exhibition of drawings in Japan and the 10th International Cairo Biennale in Egypt. Her work can also be found in many private collections.
She holds a B.F.A degree in Turkish Traditional Arts, Kilim and Rug design, from Marmara University College of Fine Arts in Istanbul, Turkey. In 1996, following her graduation, she moved to the United States; where she received her M.F.A in painting from Florida Atlantic University in 2005. Kocabasi is currently teaching at the Palm Beach Community College and at the Armory Art Center.
The Clyde Fyfe Award for Performing Artists is a $2,500 honor given in the name of the late Palm Beach County impresario and arts leader Clyde Fyfe. The 2006 recipient is Clarence Brooks of Boca Raton. The Clyde Fyfe award goes to a Palm Beach County emerging or professional performing and/or literary artist whose work emulates excellence in the field and contributes to the advancement of our quality of life in Palm Beach County by mentoring, teaching, or sharing work methods with others in our community.
Brooks is a teacher and choreographer working as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Dance at Florida Atlantic University. Mr. Brooks has transformed his experiences on stages around the world into platforms for education, community service and outreach. Having performed with more than 50 American ballet, modern, jazz and opera companies, he uses this wealth of experience to share his unique perspective on the arts.
Mr. Brooks taught gifted students at the Bak Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach between 1998 and 2004. He completed his Master of Fine Arts studies at the University of Washington in 1998 and received his bachelor of performing arts degree from Oklahoma City University (OCU) in 1983. In 1994, he was inducted into the OCU Performance Hall of Honor.
Using endowment income contributed for the purpose, the Cultural Council periodically awards the artistic development and community service of Palm Beach County artists in two categories, Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Awards are made by a panel of professional arts leaders.
Larry Boytano
Public Relations Coordinator
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 300
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel. (561) 471-1601
Fax (561) 687-9484
lboytano@palmbeachculture.com
www.palmbeachculture.com
The Palm Beach County Cultural Council was founded in 1978 by Alexander W. Dreyfoos as the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts to develop, coordinate and promote the arts and cultural activities throughout Palm Beach County. It is officially recognized by the Board of County Commissioners as the County's advisory agency for cultural development and administers a portion of local tourist development funds under contract with county government. It is an independent nonprofit membership organization with 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status, Florida Registration number SC01489. All contributions are deductible to the full extent of the law.
