Wiseman Honored at Hearts for Arts Annual Gala

Mayor Al Litman presents Bunny Wiseman the 2016 Heart for the Arts Award on Feb. 11 for her dedication, support of, and her services to all of the arts organizations in Mesquite. The Hearts for the Arts Gala was held at the Eureka Casino’s Town Square Feb. 11. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

For the sixth year the annual Hearts for the Arts dinner and auction held on Feb. 11 helped raise money to support the Mesquite Arts Community.

Hearts for the Arts has also been the venue to honor one person in the community who has made a significant contribution to supporting the arts in Mesquite. The 2016 recipient of that award was Bunny Wiseman.

Mayor Al Litman presented the award and in true “Bunny” fashion, she accepted with a gracious thank you and proceeded to divert all the attention to others. She chose to recognize all the other people who made the evening possible in her acceptance speech.

Wiseman has had a hand in running or helping every organization that is involved in the Arts in Mesquite. No job has ever been too big or too small for her to jump into and lend a hand wherever she is needed. Wiseman has served on the boards of all of the organizations as well. She presently serves as President of the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation, is a Mesquite Community Theatre manager, teaches painting and drawing for the Virgin Valley Artists Association, is a guest member of the Mesquite Showgirls and serves as a technician for many of the community theatre performances.

The evening began with a champagne reception at 5 p.m. in the Eureka Casino Resort Town Square where Andre Carrier got the ball rolling with an auction before dinner. You could feel the upswing of humor and energy while Carrier got the bids running as he auctioned off some of Greg Lee’s private collection wine. The evening also included a silent auction, dinner and a live auction after dinner as well. Many of the after dinner auction items were original works of art by Mesquite artists.

One hundred percent of the money raised at the Gala benefits the arts in Mesquite and helps provide a wide range of art programs and events to enrich the community.

This year’s Hearts Chairperson was Janet McDonald who, along with the volunteers, did an outstanding job and the evening was pure delight for all who attended.

GMAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Mesquite Arts Council, Mesquite Toes Tap Team, Virgin Valley Artists Association, Virgin Valley Theatre Group, Mesquite Community Theatre, the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant and the Mesquite Showgirls.