PAH-FEST Awards & Contests
"Keeping the Torch Lit" Award
Each year during PAH-FEST in New Mexico, PAH NATION honors an individual of distinctive vision. Dubbed the “Keeping the Torch Lit Award”, this Honoree has created a compelling and significant body of work that exemplifies both a spirit of strong individuality and a commitment to the greater human spirit.
Christopher Coppola, founder of PAH NATION, explains:
“How important is it to keep the torch lit? I can imagine prehistoric man braving beasts, the elements and the unknown so that the fire would remain lit at all costs, not only for communal warmth, but so we could paint our thoughts, dreams, and history on the flickering cave walls — not unlike our movies today. In our modern society, artists remain our torch-bearers. By being true to themselves no matter what the obstacles, artists can help guide us into the unknown, keeping the torch lit so the rest of us can find our way through the darkness and eventually help to make the flame even brighter. This is what the PAH NATION“Keeping the Torch Lit Award” is all about: honoring those master artists who stayed true to themselves and their creative process above all else and, by so doing, succeeded in encouraging and guiding us all with their burning light.”
Award Recipients
David Carradine
Recipient of the 2007
"Keeping the Torch Lit" Award
"The Torchlight Event was a very cool experience. Christopher Coppola is a great guy, and what he's doing with his digital movement is something else. Empowering the farmer to be an artist: That's cool."
George Kuchar
Recipient of the 2006 "Keeping the Torch Lit" Award
The beautiful and hefty (both in size and weight) award given to me by the beautiful and hefty, Christopher Coppola, is a treasured landmark in a much desecrated bedroom of my apartment. The fact that it was presented to me in Indian country is an extra bonus, or feather in my bonnet, and I greatly appreciate the care that went into the chiseling of all that crystal majesty. Truly a gemlike creation from the land of dreams (La-La Land) and the land of mineral might, New Mexico. A fusion of art and glory frozen to perfection in a towering testament of etched brilliance. This impact of mind and body on earthlike material which reaches toward the heavens in a glittering colossus of reflexive reflections takes the breath away (especially when you try to lift it!). It's a chip and chisel of glamorous genius. A marvel of the Hu-man and the angelic and a beacon to all who aspire deification in the pantheon of Olympian originality. My blessings to all who are crowned with such a gargantuan glory for the head reels under its immense significance and bulk!"
Tom Waits
Recipient of the 2005
"Keeping the Torch Lit" Award
" Digital = Dig it al"
"
When you get lonesome and lost all your dreams - there ain't nothing like a torchlight and a can full of beans!"
ABOUT THE ARTIST
The Torch Lit Award trophy was designed by glass artist M. Rhys Williams, Owner of the Cactus Glassworks in Claremont California.
"For thirty five years I have had the honor and privilege to support my wife and family practicing a craft that is as old as the first civilization of man. Glass was invented by the Sumerians when they invented writing, agriculture, irrigation, math and astronomy five thousand years ago.
Using the elements of earth, wind and fire in their most basic form, I transpose ideas into tangible works of art that will last forever.
When Christopher Coppola and PAH NATION approached me to create the Keeping the Torch Lit award to be presented to inspirational figures of our time, commemorating the contributions to their crafts and communities, I jumped at the chance. I chose the totem/obelisk format because it is so universal to every human society. This form represents the upward reaching thrust of creativity and allows me a time frame or sequential presentation that reads from the beginnings at the bottom, to crowning glory at the top, in a way that is recognizable to everyone.
I am honored to meet each year's recipient and challenged to distill their complex and creative lives into images that reflect their achievements. I like to do this in a way that will acknowledge the significant effect their private commitments have had on the public direction of our time.
I wish to thank CRC, PAH NATION, and The Duke City Shootout Film Festival for the opportunity to continue my craft, set an example of excellence for my sons and students, and create a lasting work of art for the deserving recipients of this award."
~M. Rhys Williams