Many forms of artistic, creative and cultural expression will capture the spotlight at the Governor's Arts Awards. A reception begins at 6 p.m., March 22, in the University of Nevada, Reno's Church Fine Arts Building. The awards ceremony, highlighted by performances from several recipients, begins at 7:15 p.m. in Nightingale Concert Hall.

The Nevada Arts Council honors individuals whose lifetime dedication to arts and culture has enhanced civic engagement and quality of life for all Nevadans. Gailmarie Pahmeier, an English lecturer and poet, and Jim Nichols, a College of Liberal Arts advisory board member, are among those to be recognized.

"Gailmarie has put untold hours into bringing the literary arts to Nevada by presenting her own poetry in nearly every venue in the state and hosting many nationally-recognized guest writers," said Stacy Burton, associate professor and chair of the English department. "She is a remarkable teacher in every setting from community workshops to University classrooms. Her work as a poet, a teacher, a community participant, and an organizer of arts events has altered the poetic landscape in Nevada."

Pahmeier will receive the Excellence in the Arts Award for creative writing, poetry and poetics. Her works include "With Respect for Distance" and "What Emma Loves," published by Black Rock Press and "The House on Breakheart Road," published by the University of Nevada Press.

"This recognition means that you're a great artist and a great citizen of the arts," said Susan Boskoff, director of the Nevada Arts Council. "Gailmarie continues to write in an important and unique voice and, through her role as an educator and a former member of the Nevada Arts Council, she has advocated for the arts as a public policy issue. That makes communities and the state great."

Nichols will receive the Patron of the Arts Award. Nichols, an engineer by profession, is a trustee of the Sierra Arts Foundation and the Reno Philharmonic. He founded the Forum for Excellence Speakers Series, which celebrates the role of critical thinking and civic engagement. He has served in an advisory role for the University since the early '90s.

"The University has an important role in the cultural activity of the state including its faculty, education, programs, and events," said University President Milt Glick. "Jim recognizes the role of creativity in every discipline on campus and has been a selfless proponent of the arts for Nevada."

The Governor's Arts Awards also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Nevada Arts Council.

"It's a distinct pleasure to review the nominees and the quality they bring to the state's arts industry," said Tim Jones, associate director for outreach and marketing for the School of the Arts and chair of the Nevada Arts Council board. "We are celebrating the people who represent the excellence of the arts in our state and the creative accomplishments of our communities."

Tickets cost $35 for the entire evening and are available by calling (775) 687-6680.