Ontario Arts and Culture Awards: Celebrating Regional Impact

A spectacular celebration of the arts and culture and the talented people who for many years have nurtured it locally will take place Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Ontario Museum of History & Art.

The first Ontario Arts and Culture Awards will be presented by the Ontario Museum of History & Art, Associates, and the City of Ontario.

The event will honor three cornerstones of arts and culture in this region — legendary artist Tony Sheets; the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts, an institution fostering artistry of the past and future; and Randall Lewis and the Lewis Family, long-time supporters of arts and culture throughout the Inland Valley.

Sherry Glab President, and Chairwoman of the event, said the dinner program will begin at 5:30 PM at the museum, 225 S. Euclid Ave., Ontario.

The goal, according to Glab, is for the event to become a yearly milestone recognizing those who have made a great effort in encouraging the growth of arts and culture locally.

“The three awardees we will honor have supported the arts and culture in this area in so many ways,” she said. “Without their extensive involvement, we would not enjoy the variety and quality of artistic endeavors that we do today.”

Tony Sheets, himself an accomplished painter and sculptor and son of famed artist Millard Sheets, served for many years as Director of Art for the Millard Sheets Fine Arts Building at the L.A. County Fair.

The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts operates the arts center in Rancho Cucamonga in the home of the late Sam Maloof.  Maloof is recognized as one of the finest woodworkers of our time. The foundation is active in fostering the growth of the arts and crafts movement.

Randall Lewis and his family, long-time home builders throughout the Inland Valley, have been the preeminent philanthropists of the region for many years, supporting extensive art, health and education programs.

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies will be Matt Johnson, reporter and Fill-in Anchor with Fox 11 and Good Day LA. Matt is an EMMY award-winning journalist who has jumped out of planes, reported from the Mayan Pyramids in Belize, climbed mountains and ridden elephant with villagers in Thailand. Matt grew up in Ontario, and his adventures in the news field began with his writing a kid’s column for the local newspaper, The Daily Bulletin.

Sherry Glab said tickets for the event are $75 and available at www.ontarioarts.org/awards.

Additionally, there are still sponsorship opportunities for businesses and institutions to join in supporting this celebration.  For more information on sponsorship opportunities visit www.ontarioarts.org/awards.