Anchorage artist Garry Kaulitz has been named the 2015 Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist. The $40,000 award, an- nounced May 19, recognizes an artist with stat- ure and a history of creative excellence.

Kaulitz is the 12th Alaska artist to receive the award and he joins a prestigious list of previ- ous winners including Peggy Shumaker (2014), Teri Rofkar (2013), Kes Woodward (2012), Ray Troll (2011), John Luther Adams (2010), Nathan Jackson (2009), Ronald Senungetuk (2008), Rie Munoz (2007), Delores Churchill (2006), John Haines (2005) and Sylvester Ayek (2004).

“Foremost, Garry Kaulitz describes him- self as a practicing artist who specializes in the visions that dance in his head,” said Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation president.

Kaulitz’ works have been exhibited inter- nationally, nationally and regionally. He has received numerous awards, grants and residen- cies and is represented in many private, public

and museum collections. Kaulitz is Professor Emeritus of Art at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he taught from 1993 to 2014.

Since retiring last year, he has been con- ducting workshops and managing a co-op print shop. His current work deals with the juxtapo- sition of biographical reflections and the hu- man form with mind frictions and fictions.

Before coming toAlaska, he was owner and master printer at a press in his name and taught at The Louisville School of Art, University of Louisville and University of Indiana. He earned his master of fine arts in printmaking at Rochester Institute of Technology.

In addition to the Distinguished Artist Award, Rasmuson Foundation also awarded 25 Project Grants (worth up to $7,500 each) and 10 Fellowships (worth up to $18,000 each). These artists were chosen from more than 300 applicants, whose applications were judged by an esteemed national panel of artists and arts leaders.