Greeley Arts Legacy
Hall of Fame Honorees Recognized
This year’s hall-of-fame class named by the Greeley Arts Legacy doesn’t have buildings named after them, but they’re well known in Greeley’s arts world.
The honorees are Lynn Bassett, owner of the Dance Factory; the Greeley Chorale; and Dan Frantz, founder and conductor of the Greeley Chamber Orchestra.
Ed Rogers created the Greeley Arts Legacy five years ago to run the hall of fame and name the honorees. Rogers, a sculptor and longtime arts teacher, wanted to recognize all facets of the arts, including culinary, theater, music, dance, writing and even leadership and benefactors. When he began researching other parts of the country seeking examples of how other communities recognized contributions in the arts, he couldn’t find one, other than an occasional commemoration in the performing arts.
“I really couldn’t find anything,” Rogers said.
The Arts Legacy asks the community for nominees, and this year, as every year, the legacy received more than 30. The board whittles that list down by applying its four standards: contribution, eminence, influence and permanence.
Some of the honorees have recognizable names, such as Helen Langworthy, who made UNC’s theater program one of the strongest for its size. UNC named a theater after her. Many others are people the average person may not recognize, such as Frantz, but many more probably know his chamber orchestra.
The ceremony is usually an hour long and focuses on recognizing the three honorees. It will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the Hensel Phelps Theater of the Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. in Downtown Greeley. Admission is free.
By Dan England