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The City of Yuma’s Arts and Culture division named four new winners during Tribute of the Muses, the biggest arts recognition event in the Yuma community.

With its theme “steampunk,” the 23rd Tribute of the Muses Awards ceremony was held Friday, Nov. 17, at the Historic Yuma Theatre

The Tribute of the Muses award, which honors an outstanding member of Yuma’s arts community who has shown exemplary devotion and excellence in the arts, went to Randy Hoeft, longtime editor/writer/photographer with the Yuma Sun and faculty member at Arizona Western College (AWC).

The Helios Award honoring the top newcomer in the arts community went to Julia Castillo for her work in various levels of community theater.

The Odyssey Award for an outstanding organization, business, or group who have demonstrated involvement and commitment to enriching the Yuma community through the arts went to the McKivergan Foundation, which has provided public art funding for projects throughout Yuma County since its inception in 2017.

The Apollo Award for an outstanding arts educator went to Rebecca Shelby, AWC ceramics instructor.

The recipient of the top Tribute of the Muses Award is honored with a custom art award designed and created by a local artist

The 2023 award, titled “Circles in Copper,” was designed and created by 2011 Tribute of the Muses winner Judy Phillips.

Award recipients were selected by the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission and past Tribute of the Muses winners.

The name Tribute of the Muses originates from Greek Mythology, where the nine daughters of Zeus called Muses were considered the inspiration for the arts and sciences. Each Muse possessed a distinct gift among the disciplines of poetry, art, dance and music.

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