Rex Morgan Award Winners

To honor the spirit of Rex Morgan, awards are given in his name every two years. The Rex Morgan Awards honor outstanding contributions to our community’s culture through leadership, volunteerism, and organizational excellence.

Past Winners:

Jim Harrington, award winner for Lifetime Achievement. Jim Harrington’s service over many decades as treasurer and chairman of the SCFD Board of Directors, as well as his instrumental work in securing reauthorization of the district across multiple elections demonstrates his deep commitment to culture in our metro area.

Darrell Anderson, award winner for Civic Engagement and Volunteerism. Although internationally known for his paintings and visual art, it is Darrell Anderson’s deep commitment to mentoring, teaching and transforming the Denver metro area for the better that earned him this award. He has transformed hundreds of lives through his championing of artists and arts organizations.

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and the Denver Foundation, award winners for Innovative Partnership. Their unique partnership was a literal lifeline to arts and culture devastated by the pandemic shutdowns, delivering $2 million to 72 organizations across the Denver metro area.

Federico Peña, award winner for Lifetime Leadership. Federico Pena served as Denver Mayor during a pivotal time for the SCFD and championed the cause. Throughout the rest of his career, he continually contributed to the cultural life of Colorado and the nation.

Dan Hopkins, award winner for Civic Engagement and Volunteerism. Dan Hopkins was a longtime board member for the SCFD, representing Arapahoe County, and contributed extensively to the cultural life of the metro area.

Lone Tree Arts Center, award winner for Innovation and Partnership. In 2012, the center launched an innovative program to engage those who had not only been historically absent from traditional audiences, they had also been actively discouraged from participating in arts and culture programming: those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Rita Flores de Wallace was honored for her volunteerism sharing her expert knowledge of Mexican folklorico and dance.

Victoria Sterling has made a significant impact on the cultural community through her plethora of board service, including: Denver County Cultural Council, Young Audiences, Denver School of the Arts, Anti-Defamation League, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Golden Triangle Association, Visit Denver, Civic Center Conservancy Board, Denver Art Museum, and RedLine.

Suzanne J. Bodis former member of the Arapahoe County Cultural Council, Aurora Cultural Affairs Commission, Art in Public Places Commission, and the Aurora Museum Foundation.

Floyd Ciruli was honored for his tremendous impact to the formation and continued success of the SCFD

Gully Stanford, for his passionate and legendary advocacy for the advancement of culture and arts education

Bob Greenlee, first Chairperson, SCFD Board of Directors

Maruca Salazar, a former member of the Denver County Cultural Council and a long-standing advocate for Chicano artists

John E. Hayes, former Chairman of the SCFD Board of Directors

Mike Moore, founding member and former Chairman of Jefferson County Cultural Council, founding member of Denver Friends of Folk Music and The Baroque Folk, former director of the Evergreen Arts Council, a former trustee of the Colorado Children’s Chorale

Rosalie Keith, former Adams County Cultural Council Member and Founder of Thornton Arts Science and Humanities Council Young Artists Festival

Edward P. Connors, Trustee, Denver Botanic Gardens

A. Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld, Trustees, Denver Art Museum

Harry T. Lewis, Trustee, of Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Chairman of Citizens for Arts to Zoo

Wilbur Flachman, Adams County Cultural Council Chairman

Jane Hansberry, former SCFD District Administrator

Nancy Parker, Trustee, Central City Opera