GILROY
– The city’s Arts and Culture Commission has named Calpine
energy company the first recipient of the Commissioners Choice
Award, which recognizes businesses or individuals that contributed
greatly in 2003 to Gilroy arts and culture.
GILROY – The city’s Arts and Culture Commission has named Calpine energy company the first recipient of the Commissioners Choice Award, which recognizes businesses or individuals that contributed greatly in 2003 to Gilroy arts and culture.
Among other contributions by the energy provider, nearly $5,000 went toward the mural project at Hornlein Court and Monterey Street on the wall of the Banning Upholstery between Sixth and Seventh streets. The colorful painting depicts icons of Gilroy life in the past, present and future. For months the artwork stagnated in the present, until Calpine gave money to complete the past and future portions of the mural.
“It was such a relief for everyone involved in the Public Art Committee (the group charged with completing the mural project). People were getting discouraged and then the Calpine grant came in,” said Cathy Mirelez, cultural arts and museum supervisor for the City of Gilroy. “They’re extremely generous. It was the largest grant we received. It helped us complete the project.”
Calpine also made a $1,000 contribution to the Gilroy Historical Museum. The money went toward the Victorian Christmas celebration in December 2003.
On Jan. 14, Calpine will present its 2004 grants. In 2003, the company put $50,000 back into the community for various social and cultural programs.
Calpine will receive its Commissioners Choice Award on Feb. 7 at the annual Chamber of Commerce installation dinner. Also that night, the chamber will recognize its man and woman of the year, volunteer of the year and large and small business of the year.
The Arts and Culture Commission got the idea for the new annual award from similar committees in San Francisco and Santa Clara County, vice chairman Dia Hoshida said.
“We’re trying to be an up and coming cultural community, so we thought Gilroy should also recognize its art and culture supports,” Hoshida said.
Hoshida said the entire seven-member committee made the award selection. She said several organizations and individuals have been strong supporters of the arts, and she hopes in the next few years they will get recognized, too.
“We’re just really excited to start this award. We felt it’s very important and it’s been my kind of pet project to recognize the businesses in the community who are promoting the arts,” Hoshida said.
