The awards presented by the Mayor’s Art Awards were created and fabricated by local glass artists James Mongrain, whose work has been exhibited nationwide. (Photo by Shwu-jen Hwang)
Seattle dancer Li Hengda was honored by Mayor McGinn at the 2012 Mayor’s Arts Awards on Aug. 31. One of 10 winners picked from a field of more than 500 applicants, Li is the founder of the American Asian Performing Arts Theatre and the Hengda Dance Academy in Seattle.
Li Hengda is known for his combination of Chinese and Western dance techniques, creating a completely new and interesting style. (Photo by Shwu-jen Hwang)
Li has choreographed more than 20 dance works and directed 25 large-scale professional performances, involving local and international Chinese performers and including the Sichuan Earthquake Relief Performance in 2008. Officially recognized in China as a National Premier Dancer in 1987, Li was the Pacific Northwest’s main soloist from 1991 to 1996. (end)