The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2004 Millicent Heller Award are Sandy and Michael Starks. The Starks will be honored at a reception held at the Burchfield-Penney on December 1, 2004.

The Millicent Heller Award was established by the friends and family of Millicent Heller to recognize outstanding volunteer service to the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. The award is presented annually to a volunteer who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the museum. Sandy and Michael Starks are the 17th recipients of the Millicent Heller Award—and the first couple to receive the honor.

Over many years, Sandy and Michael Starks have been supporters of the Burchfield-Penney. In the early days of the museum, Michael assisted then-director Edna Lindemann with exhibition installations. Since that time, the Starks have become regulars in planning, hosting and supporting the museum's special events, including the annual gala and auction as well as the Artful Table series. In addition to their work with the Burchfield-Penney, Sandy and Michael are advocates for the Roycroft campus in East Aurora, and their relationship with both organizations has led to the building of stronger bonds between the two institutions.

The recipients of the Millicent Heller Award are selected by the staff of the Burchfield-Penney—and the staff was unanimous in its support of Sandy and Michael Starks to receive this honor. They are volunteers whose energy, hard work and contagious good humor are well-known at the museum, and the Burchfield-Penney is lucky to count Sandy and Michael as friends.

About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org. The museum is located on the 3rd floor of Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College. Hours: Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and Erie County. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the James Carey Evans Endowment, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and charitable contributions by museum members and visitors.