2024 Milley Award honorees, clockwise from top left, Desiree Goyette & Ed Bogas, Larry Jordan, Jackie La Lanne, Vicki Larson, Paola Gianturco and Michael Vogel. Photos by Daniel Patrick.
It is the 33rd anniversary of the Milley Awards for Creative Achievement, and on Sunday, October 27, seven creative and accomplished Mill Valley citizens—a couple and five individuals—will be honored at an elegant buffet and program in the town’s Community Center Cascade Room. The honorees will receive bronze statuettes designed by the late sculptor John Libberton.
Overseeing the festivities will be emcee Erma Murphy, Executive Director of O’Hanlon Center for the Arts and a beloved community leader. Erma and her partner Daniel Patrick were honored in 2014 with a Milley Award for Contributions to the Arts Community.
Before supper, a wine reception will feature appetizers by Paseo Bistro Then a lavish buffet will offer multiple entrées, salads and side dishes with fine wines donated by local restaurateurs. A performance by musician honorees Ed Bogas and Désirée Goyette Bogas will be culminating delight of the evening.
The honorees were chosen by five judges from the Mill Valley community, all distinguished in the arts: musician and music teacher Joe Angiulo, writer-photographer Suz Lipman, botanical artist Kristin Jakob, film connoisseur Tom Sawyer and violinist Beni Shinohara. The volunteer judging panel changes each year.
A colorful display about the Milley Awards, highlighting this year’s honorees and honorees of the past, is on view now in the glass case just inside the entrance of the Mill Valley Library. It will be there for two weeks, giving a sense of the breadth of the awards over the last 33 years.
Here are the 2024 honorees:
Musical Arts: Ed Bogas and Desirée Goyette Bogas
Ed and Desirée are a magical musical team. They have composed music for countless television series, including TV specials of “Peanuts” and “Garfield” (for which they received two Grammy nominations) and feature films. An accomplished violinist and keyboardist, Ed composes, arranges, and sings, while Desirée is a singer, vocal teacher, musical director and actress.
Visual Arts: Jackie La Lanne
Generations of Mill Valley children have experienced the joy of creating art with Jackie, who taught in public schools here for 32 years and coordinated the school district’s K-8th grade visual arts program from 2000 to 2021. A talented photographer and innovative workshop facilitator, Jackie doesn’t instruct; she inspires, providing the freedom and encouragement to explore.
Literary Arts: Paola Gianturco
Paola is an internationally known photojournalist whose seven books, combining compelling photographs and text, lift up lives challenged by poverty, hardship and the dire environmental threat of climate change. Her prose is masterful and impactful, and she is an outstanding teacher and generous mentor.
Contributions to the Arts Community: Michael C. Vogel
Michael, an arts producer and volunteer with many arts organizations, has served the community behind the scenes with skill and enthusiasm. Modest, hardworking and enthusiastic, he gives generously of his time, and expertise. Among those who benefit from his knowledge and largesse are the Mill Valley Arts Commission, Mill Valley Film Festival, Mountain Play Association, and 142 Throckmorton Theatre’s Comedy Night.
Film Arts: Larry Jordan
Larry is an award-winning film, video and television director. Educated in Mill Valley schools and nurtured by the community’s surrounding natural beauty, he lends a wealth of talents to the world. A Primetime Emmy awardee and three-time nominee, he has directed top documentary and concert films for Sting, Mariah Carey, Tony Bennett, Boz Skaggs, The Who, Sir Elton John and many other musical icons.
Sali Lieberman Award: Vicki Larson
The Sali Lieberman Award is an award conferred by the Milley Executive Committee to recognize persons who through their endeavors in the arts have enriched the lives of our citizens. Tens of thousands of Marin County readers see Vicki Larson as an unofficial professor of sociology. The book author and smart and witty former Lifestyle editor/columnist at the Marin Independent Journal has focused attention on important issues of our time—poverty, race, gender inequality, housing, climate change and ageism.
The Milleys Executive Committee produce the Milley Awards with the support of the Mill Valley Arts Commission. Executive Committee members—all volunteers—are Mary Dilts, Audrey Donaldson, Roy Forest, Larry “The Hat” Lautzker, Rosemary Ishii MacConnell, Regina O’Connell, Daniel Patrick, Queenie Taylor, Bruce Tremayne and Abby Wasserman.
Tickets for the 2024 event are $100, which includes a wine reception, buffet supper, awards presentation program and musical entertainment. The event is selling fast but there some tickets are still available. Go to www.milleyawards.org.