Arts Commission Honors Efforts of 4

The Thousand Oaks Arts Commission will honor four people for their contributions to the Conejo Valley’s cultural enrichment during an awards ceremony Thursday at the Civic Arts Plaza.

The ninth annual Excellence in the Arts awards will be presented to Charles Davis, Steve A. Wiley, Phyllis J. Doyon and Gene Lovejoy. The event, which will air in Thousand Oaks on TOTV Channel 10, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Davis--an actor, writer, director and producer--has been a major force on city’s performing arts scene since the 1960s. He will receive the Encore statuette for his dedication to teaching acting.

Wiley, an employee of the Conejo Recreation and Park District, has worked with nonprofit groups for years to provide artistic opportunities to Conejo Valley residents. He will receive a Certificate award.

Doyon, a Camarillo watercolor artist and teacher, will also receive the Certificate award. She is being honored for her dedication as a volunteer at the forefront of efforts to develop the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery.

Lovejoy will receive his third Certificate award for keeping folk dance traditions alive in Thousand Oaks. He was instrumental in the formation of the Conejo Valley Folk Dancers and has played a major role in organizing and staging local folk dance festivals.

“People in the arts limelight are usually the ones who win the awards,” said Carol Salyer, who chairs the commission’s arts recognition panel. “But there are unsung heroes who make this community work.”