Art in Celebration

Distinguished Artist of the Year Awards Dinner Honoring Bill Barrett

Saturday, October 3, 2026
Santa Fe Country Club | Santa Fe, New Mexico

Join the Rotary Club of Santa Fe, with the generous support of sponsors Maestro Financial Partners and Santa Fe Country Club, for the culminating celebration of our 2026 Distinguished Artist of the Year, internationally acclaimed sculptor and painter Bill Barrett.

After a summer of art, music and community events celebrating Bill and his extraordinary career, we'll gather for an intimate Awards Dinner bringing together artists, collectors, friends, Rotarians and community supporters to honor his artistic legacy—and support the charitable work made possible through Distinguished Artist of the Year.

The Evening

Guests can look forward to an evening of art, fellowship and celebration featuring:

• Cocktail reception with cash bar
• Dinner at the Santa Fe Country Club
• Presentation of the 2026 Distinguished Artist of the Year Award to Bill Barrett
• A special look at Bill's life, work and artistic legacy
• Presentation of a Rotary grant to the New Mexico School for the Arts
• Recognition of the people and organizations helping make DAOTY26 possible

Celebrating Bill Barrett

For more than six decades, Bill Barrett has created sculpture, painting and jewelry distinguished by movement, balance and lyrical abstraction.

His work is represented in public and private collections throughout the United States and internationally, and his monumental sculptures can be found in prominent public spaces across the country.

The Rotary Club of Santa Fe is proud to recognize Bill Barrett as our 2026 Distinguished Artist of the Year and celebrate the extraordinary body of work that defines his career.

A Santa Fe Rotary Tradition

Established in 1981, Distinguished Artist of the Year recognizes artists whose work has made a lasting contribution to the cultural life of Santa Fe, New Mexico and beyond.

Over more than four decades, the program has honored many of the region's most influential artists, including Allan Houser, Agnes Martin, Glenna Goodacre, William Lumpkins, Cara Romero and Erika Wanenmacher.

Bill Barrett now joins that remarkable legacy.

Art With a Purpose

Distinguished Artist of the Year is more than an award. Through the program, Rotary uses the arts to bring people together while generating support for charitable and educational work in our community.

The 2026 campaign supports the New Mexico School for the Arts and the charitable work of the Rotary Club of Santa Fe Foundation.

Tickets & Sponsorships

Registration opens in the coming days.

Tickets for the newly reimagined Awards Dinner will be:

• Rotarians: $100 per person, with the opportunity to purchase one guest ticket at the same $100 price
• General Admission: $150 per person

Table purchase packages and sponsorship opportunities will also be available.

Space will be limited. Please check back soon for registration, table and sponsorship information.

Volunteers Needed

Rotarians: we need you! Volunteers will be needed to help with registration, guest hospitality, setup/breakdown and other event-night needs.

Thank you to Storm Stephens, Bryan Craig, Jan Brown, Lupe Goler and Emma Scherer, who have already volunteered to help on October 3.

Additional volunteers are welcome—please contact Theresa Stone to lend a hand.

About Distinguished Artist of the Year

Established in 1981, the Rotary Club of Santa Fe's Distinguished Artist of the Year program recognizes artists whose work has made a lasting contribution to the cultural life of Santa Fe, New Mexico and beyond. The program celebrates artistic excellence while using the arts to strengthen community connections and advance Rotary's charitable mission.