The Solar Award
Awarded to an individual who radiates warmth, cheer, or happiness and is a comfort or joy to those around them.

Nancy Gawron, RECIPIENT OF THE 2004 SOLAR AWARD

NOMINATOR'S STATEMENT
I first heard of Nancy when I read an article in the local paper about her offer, posted around town, to create a portrait for anyone who lost someone in the September 11th attack. Hundreds of people responded. Using photos she created one portrait a day, and has fulfilled over 330 requests. Animated, attractive and highly social, Nancy has a strong spiritual side, and is sensitive to and fascinated by the small events of life that can hold great significance. She told me how the families that she has sent the portraits to have told her how powerful and meaningful they are to them. Nancy has a unique ability, both in her art and in her persona, to touch people on a deeper level.

Nancy Gawron writes:
I think what strikes me the most about my decision to do the portraits for the 9/11 families is how far the ripples of kindness have gone. I may never know how many people have been touched in ways I cannot even imagine. I have discovered that we are all capable of making a huge impact on the world by the small acts of kindness that we do around us. I have heard from some people that only reading of my project, or hearing about it secondhand, has inspired them to make their own "kindness" contributions. It also amazes me that my decision to give some small gift to someone else has ended up being a much bigger gift to me. I would not change one moment of it.

I am honored to have been a part of the healing process with these families and to have been entrusted with the valued photos of their loved ones during the creation of the portraits, and their sharing of the stories of what happened to them, and the people they lost that day. It was an awesome responsibility that I did not take lightly.

Over the past two years the work has also become a part of my spiritual journey, and I think I was being prepared for it decades ago. Every decision along the way has led me here, and I suspect will take me far beyond where I am now. I have the privilege of doing what I love to do, and making a difference in peoples lives. Most people search their whole lives to find that, and somehow I have it. What more could I ask for?

2008 The Solar Award Recipient

2007 The Solar Award Recipient

2006 The Solar Award Recipient

2005 The Solar Award Recipient