The Urban Grace Church, Fab-5 and Oliver Doris have been selected to receive the Tacoma Arts Commission’s 2010 AMOCAT Art Awards. The awards recognize organizations and artists for their vision, dedication and action in creating a lively arts community in Tacoma. The three categories support community outreach in the arts by a patron, an organization and an individual.

— The “Arts Patron” award goes to the Urban Grace Church for their support of the arts in Tacoma. Urban Grace’s commitment is exemplified in their establishment of the Poet Laureate position for Tacoma in 2008, their partnership with Fab-5 to create a mural for the Rialto Theater in 2010 and in providing ongoing opportunities for exhibition and performance in all artistic disciplines;

— The “Community Outreach by an Organization” award goes to the Fab-5 for their commitment to providing mentorship, leadership and opportunities for youth to develop their talents within hip-hop culture. Fab-5’s L.I.F.E. program gives youth an opportunity to develop and explore their unique voices through a variety of different mediums including music, movement, visual arts and creative writing workshops. Although Fab-5 work is centered on creating art, their main outcomes and objectives are cultivating communities where young people from diverse backgrounds can gather, collaborate, learn and share ideas;

— The “Community Outreach by an Artist” award goes to accomplished glass artist, Oliver Doriss, for his work in opening the Fulcrum Gallery. The gallery is an influential display space located in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma catering to contemporary art and installation created by up and coming national and regional artists.

Awardees will be honored at the annual Art at Work Opening Party on Nov. 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum. In addition to honoring the awardees, the evening’s programming will feature live performances by the Tacoma Youth Symphony, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Symphony and Tacoma Musical Playhouse. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and attendees will have an opportunity to view the museum’s galleries. This free public event is co-sponsored by Click! Cable TV, the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington State Arts Commission, Weekly Volcano, Premier Media Group, ShowCase media and Prosser Piano.

Visit http://www.ArtAtWorkTacoma.com for more information about Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month.