Morton Marcus - Rich Award '07

Some time in the next few months, poet and critic Morton Marcus will unveil his just-finished memoirs to the world. And no matter what the page count of the book (and he’s promised it will be prodigious), it can hardly contain the energy of the man. The author of eight books of poetry (with a ninth scheduled for 2007) who has been published in literary journals and anthologies all over the world, Mort was selected as the 1999 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year not only for his poetry, but for his long involvement in the promotion of poetry. He’s also the area’s most prominent film critic, having taught film and English at Cabrillo College for more than 30 years. He now co-hosts the popular “CinemaScene” show on Community TV, leads a weekly film discussion at the Nickelodeon and is an integral part of the annual Pacific Rim Film Festival, all the legacy of one of Santa Cruz’s most vigorous man of letters.

By Wallace Baine - Sentinel staff writer - Photos by Shmuel Thaler - Sentinel staff photographer - published 1/6/07

Wallace Stegner’s famous quote describing California as “America, only more so,” can be applied in microcosm as well. Of course, it would only make sense to those who live here to say that Santa Cruz is “California, only more so.” Each year, at this time, we stop and take stock of the creative individuals who give Santa Cruz its distinctive West Coast nature. Named after the late Gail Rich who embodied the spirit of appreciation for the arts, the Gail Rich Awards are our way of singling out the faces that enhance our community with their commitment, talent and vision.
So here’s to all those who entail the creative life in the arts: musicians, visual artists, actors, directors, filmmakers, writers, poets, performance artists and dancers, as well as philanthropists, merchants, cultural figures, arts volunteers and all those who work to support the creative life of Santa Cruz County.
Thank you for giving this community its unique cultural personality.