Mayor Amy Walen and members of the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission recognized eight community members and groups at the fourth annual mayor’s CACHET event last night and presented two with a special award.

The Kirkland Performance Center (KPC) was honored for its success in offering high-quality performances and programs to the community.

The recent 15th anniversary season included notable acts such as the singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, the Georgian National Song and Dance Ensemble Iveria, and the local dance ensemble Khambhatta Dance Company.

Santos Contreras, KPC Board Member, accepted the award on behalf of KPC. Kathy Feek, Kirkland resident, was honored for her contributions to Kirkland’s artistic and cultural environment through her efforts with the Fish Frolic, Kirkland Summerfest, the art collection she curates at Evergreen Health, and many other projects she is involved in.

Both received the CACHET award, artwork created by four Peter Kirk Elementary School sixth-grade students that is presented to recipients each year.  Each student was asked to draw his or her own home and/or a notable Kirkland landmark, including many of Kirkland’s arts, culture, and heritage destinations.

Others nominated for the award include Julie Metteer for her work on the Children’s Summer Concert Series, Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland Choral Society, Ryan James of Ryan James Fine Arts, Studio East and Susan Heale of Kirkland Music Academy.

Nominations were pre-screened by the Kirkland Collaboration of Arts, Culture, Heritage, Education, and Theatre (CACHET) committee which is made up of members of the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission. Final award recipients were selected by the Commission and Mayor Amy Walen.

This year’s event was supported by funding from “4 Culture” King County Lodging Tax and Kirkland business, Nytec.

For more information about the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/cac.