Meier Achievement Awards for 2014 Gives Thanks for Work of Three Artists

The Helen Coburn Meier and Tim Meier have released the names of the 2014 Honorees for their 9th Arts Achievement Awards. Their Foundation recognizes Chicago-based artists in mid-career who push the artistic envelope. “We give these gifts at Thanksgiving to show appreciation for their work,” says Helen.

The 2014 awardees are
Simone Muench, Chris Newman, and Donald Noon.

Simone Muench is the author of five full-length poetry collections: The Air Lost in Breathing (Helicon Nine, 2000), winner of the Marianne Moore Prize for Poetry; Lampblack & Ash (Sarabande, 2005) winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize for Poetry and an Editor’s Choice at The New York Times Book Review; Orange Crush (Sarabande, 2010); Disappearing Address, co-written with Philip Jenks (BlazeVOX, 2010), and Wolf Centos (Sarabande, 2014). She received a 2013 National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship and other honors. Now at Lewis University, she is Professor of English and Director of the Creative and Professional Writing Program, in addition to serving as chief faculty advisor for Jet Fuel Review. Helen Meier says, “Simone’s work is often dark, sometime macabre, but in the end, grasping and grabbing for life’s essence.” For more information, see www.simonemuench.com.

Chris Newman is a sculptor of both abstract and figurative works. In the 1970s, Chris taught sculpture, 3-D design and art history at the junior and senior college levels and exhibited in the Philadelphia and New York areas. Life circumstances forced the suspension of his art career and he moved to Chicago to pursue a career in health care management to raise his two sons as a single parent. He was able to return to actively making sculpture when the boys grew older. Today, he actively exhibits all around the Chicago area, and in other states. Tim Meier says, “Chris’ works are consistently compelling, showing simplicity and purity.” For more information, see www.chrisnewmansculpture.com.

Donald Noon is a sculptor residing in Streator, Illinois. He received his MFA from Indiana University, and has produced large scale steel works, some of which are on display in and around Streator. He has exhibited in Chicago and the Quad Cities area. His one-man show, “The Monolith Series,” will be opening at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria in January 2015. He remains employed as a welder at Caterpillar, where he has worked for thirty years. Tim Meier says admiringly, “Donald’s work tells the truth, not what he thinks someone wants to see.” For more information, contact dtnoon@mchsi.com.

The Meier Achievement Award

The 2014 Meier Achievement Award recognizes past work of mid-career arts professionals with checks for $33,333.33 (which is $25,000 & 33% for income tax).  The Foundation uses nominators.  There is a research phase.  The Board makes the final selection.  There are no applications, no project to submit, and no outcome measurements.  This follows Tim Meier’s directive, “No strings.” For more information, see www.meierfoundation.org.

Past Recipients : 

Jim Lasko, founding Artistic Director, Redmoon Theatre
James Bohnen, cofounder & former Artistic Director, Remy Bumppo Theatre
Meade Palidofsky, founder & Artistic Director, StoryCatchers Theatre
Patti McKenny, poet, librettist/lyricist, Founder of Chicago Musical Theatre Works
John Eskola, tenor, cabaret artist
Mark Messing, composer, founder of Mucca Pazzo gypsy marching band & Lullaby Project
PJ Powers, founder & Artistic Director, TimeLine Theatre
Michael Patrick Thornton, founder & Artistic Director, Gift Theater
Homer Hans Bryant, Director, Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center
Elizabeth Doyle, composer, cabaret artist
Hallie Gordon, director, Steppenwolf Theatre for Young Adults
James Ginsburg, classical musical producer, Cedille Records
Terry Karpowicz, sculptor
Miroslaw Rogala, multi-media artist
Molly Shanahan, choreographer, Mad Shak company
Wesley Kimler, painter
Jeff Kowalkowski, new music composer
Nick Sandys, director/actor/fight choreographer, Artistic Director, Remy Bumppo Theatre
Mindy Rose Schwartz, sculptor
Bernard Williams, painter/sculptor
Jack Zimmerman, storyteller
Sean Graney, playwright
Rob Mazurek, electro-acoustic composer, cornetist, improviser and visual artist
Julia Miller, sound artist, guitarist, improvisor, composer, visual artist, curator and educator