Homer Council on the Arts presented their arts awards to seven community members during their annual meeting last Saturday, July 19.
The awards were presented by HCOA Board President Sherry Robinson, Board Vice President Jim Anderson, Marketing Coordinator Jenna Gerrety and Executive Director Scott Bartlett.
Homer High School student Marina Co was awarded Youth Artist of the Year. In her introduction of Co, Robinson noted that the incoming high school senior has explored the arts, both fine and performing, in a variety of media her entire life. Last year, Co received the Ron Senungetuk Summer Youth Arts Scholarship which enabled her to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, where she focused on drawing, painting and animation. More recently, Robinson said, Co has been focusing on writing and journalism and proposed that HHS publish a regular student newspaper, which she plans to implement in the upcoming school year. She also recently participated in the Yale Young Global Scholars’ Literature, Philosophy and Culture program.
Co thanked HCOA for their recognition in awarding her Youth Artist of the Year.
“My whole life, I’ve explored a lot of different types of art, and I know that I couldn’t have done it without the support of Homer and this community,” she said. “In the future, I hope to keep creating and making art and giving back to this wonderful community that I’m honored to be a part of.”
Anderson presented local restaurant, The Kannery, with the Kathy and Mike Pate Business Award. Owner and executive chef Chris Miller accepted the award on behalf of the business he co-founded with Cody Fry.
“Businesses in this community have been the backbone of supporting arts,” he said. “Under (Miller’s) leadership, The Kannery has been instrumental in supporting local artists, whether it’s background music during service or full-fledged concerts with musicians from throughout the state and across the U.S.”
In addition to launching annual EDM festival, Sacred Acre, and working with Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Miller previously hosted Homer’s Wearable Arts Show at The Kannery and was “instrumental” in supporting the inaugural Homer HarborFest that took place in June.
“We support everything that happens in this building,” Miller said of the HCOA office.
Former Homer Mayor Ken Castner was presented with the Mary Langham Volunteer of the Year award for his 36-year commitment to and the extensive work he does as a volunteer for Homer’s annual Nutcracker Ballet.
“He’s been a powerful influence on more than two generations of young people, encouraging participation, training them in technical theater and theater production, making sure that those who need financial, travel or other assistance have it, and generally mentoring them to find success in the arts and life,” Robinson said.
Castner called HCOA “the hub in the middle of the arts,” and said that he was one of the spokes.
“You should just take pictures of everybody as they’re leaving the door, because that’s the community that makes arts happen,” he said.
Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Director Jan Knutson was selected as this year’s Art Advocate.
Anderson called Knutson an artist in her own right, as a photographer, former gallery owner, HCOA member and “one of Homer’s biggest promoters of anything art.”
“She attends all art functions, whether it’s visual, performing, wearable or culinary,” he said. “As the director of the chamber’s visitor center, she is always telling visitors about Homer’s arts scene, and was instrumental in launching the chamber’s brochure that lists all Homer’s arts locations.”
Knutson’s husband, Ed, is also a visual artist with more than 1,500 works in his portfolio.
“Part of the reason we moved to Homer is because this is such an incredible art community,” Knutson said. “One of the key ways to advocated for not only locals, but for visitors, every single year is to come here for the arts.”
Shellie Worsfold was selected as the recipient of this year’s Jill Berryman Arts Education Award. A retired elementary school teacher, she now works for Project GRAD and, Robinson said, has always integrated the arts — both visual and performance — into all aspects of her career.
Worsfold was unable to attend the awards ceremony in person; her husband, Bill, accepted the award on her behalf.
In a written statement, Worsfold said, “Over 20-plus years as an educator, I have been fortunate to work alongside many talented instructors, and I have soaked up a lot of wisdom that I am also grateful for…. I will always seek out opportunities to assist in supporting the arts in our community.”
Sharlene Cline was awarded Artist of the Year.
“She has been a teacher and avid advocate for the arts, instructing students in remote schools who would otherwise not receive arts education, leading art camps, teaching Chinese brush work, and volunteering for the HCOA board,” Robinson said. “She has touched the lives of many in our community through her teaching and her art exhibits.”
“I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy,” Cline said upon receiving her award. “Everyone here, it’s just a wonderful community to be a part of.”
Finally, Jill Berryman was presented with the Mary Epperson Lifetime Achievement award.
The founder of Homer’s annual “Nutcracker” ballet, Berryman has been “involved creatively” in the community through costuming, coaching, choreography or creative support, Anderson said.
“She has spent her many years in Homer supporting the arts — sitting on the HCOA board, collaborating with local and visiting artists, and promoting the youth in this community to dream big, be creative, and work hard,” he said. “She has dedicated her life to the arts, and we look forward to many more years of her dedication and influence in our community.”
Berryman said that she accepted the Lifetime Achievement award not for herself, but for the many students she’s connected with over the years and for her family.
At the start of HCOA’s annual meeting, Bartlett also provided to the gathered audience an overview of events and programs the organization sponsored in 2024 and to date in 2025. He also shared HCOA’s financial report for fiscal year 2025, and noted that the organization saw over 8,500 visitors in FY25.
Bartlett also revealed HCOA’s fall lineup, which includes performances by Svetlana and the New York Collective; Take3; the Zodiac Trio, returning after their last visit to Homer in 2022; and Mari Hahn and Tamara McCoy who will present “Songs by Women Composers.”
As HCOA continues to move forward in FY26, Bartlett encouraged members of the community to get involved, either through volunteerism or becoming a member. Learn more at homerart.org.
Homer High School student Marina Co addresses the audience after receiving the Diane Borgman Youth Artist of the Year Award at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Director Jan Knutson (right) accepts the Art Advocate award at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer Council on the Arts marketing coordinator Jenna Gerrety hands the Jill Berryman Arts Education Award to Bill Worsfold, who accepted it on behalf of recipient Shellie Worsfold, at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Jill Berryman speaks after being awarded the Mary Epperson Lifetime Achievement Award at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Chris Miller, co-founder of The Kannery restaurant, accepts the Kathy and Mike Pate Business Award on behalf of The Kannery at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Former Homer mayor Ken Castner addresses the audience after receiving the Mary Langham Volunteer of the Year award at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Sharlene Cline holds up her Artist of the Year award at Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Community Arts Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
