Honouring a lifetime of art and culture

• 15 West Australians from the arts sector named as Living Treasures
• Awards honour exceptional levels of artistic skill and lifetime contribution

Musicians, authors, a puppeteer and film maker are among the 15 artists to be honoured as State Living Treasures for their lifetime contribution to arts and culture.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the awards were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the significant role these people had played to develop and grow their craft.

"The 15 exceptional recipients of this year's awards have made a defining and long-term contribution to Western Australia's culture, history and arts," Mr Day said.

"With careers spanning 40 to 60 years, our Living Treasures have become leaders in their respective fields, providing enjoyment and entertainment to communities throughout the world.

"Their journeys have also influenced and developed other artists, providing guidance and encouragement through teaching or as a role model.   

"It is clear to see that WA continues to produce artists of exceptional talent.  I am proud we are able to honour them in this way, and express the State Government's gratitude for the valuable contribution these Living Treasures have made to our cultural life."

This is the third Living Treasures Awards following their introduction in 1998 and again in 2004. They have recognised Western Australian artists, authors and performers of the calibre of Tom Hungerford, Jimmy Chi, Robert Juniper, Queenie McKenzie, Lucette Aldous and Elizabeth Jolley.

Fact File

• The Treasures were selected by a nine-member reference panel chaired by Department of Culture and the Arts director general Duncan Ord
• A book commemorating the recipients' outstanding lives and work will be presented at a formal awards ceremony tonight
• For more information visit, http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/resources/living_treasures/

Minister's office - 6552 6200

The 2015 Western Australian Living Treasures are:

Faith Clayton: has worked as a professional actress in theatre, film, television and radio in WA for more than 60 years.

Stephanie Coleman:  musician - is a successful pianist and one of Australia's most respected music teachers who has played, studied and taught music in WA for 60 years.

Robert Drewe: author - award-winning novelist including bestseller The Shark Net, short-story writer, columnist and editor.

Pippin Drysdale:  award-winning ceramic artist renowned internationally for her large, intricate works inspired by the patterns and colours of landscapes around the world.

Alan Griffiths:  visual artist - highly respected artist, teacher, song-man, indigenous elder and cultural leader who has spent 35 years creating artworks.

Joan London:  award-winning author whose critically acclaimed works focus on the uniqueness of the human story, journeys taken to find truth and relationships.

Mary McLean:  visual artist - is a highly respected artist, speaker, teacher and senior indigenous woman.

Noriko Nishimoto:  puppeteer - is considered a master of puppetry nationally and internationally, with more than 45 years in the industry including 19 with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.

Chrissie Parrott:  dancer and choreographer -  has created more than 90 works for national and international stages including Holland, France, Japan, and Germany.

Herbert Pinter: film maker - has worked on iconic national and international movies including Storm Boy, Gallipoli, Paradise Road and Mao's Last Dancer for 40 years.

Nalda Searles:  visual artist - work in fibre textiles is nationally recognised for its intricate presentation and strong connections to the Australian landscape.

Lew Smith:  jazz musician - is a self-taught professional musician who has made significant contributions to the Australian and British jazz scenes over six decades.

Miriam Stannage:  painter, photographer and printmaker -  is a highly regarded Australian artist who has been creating art for more than 50 years.

Richard Walley: performer, musician and writer - has spent more than 40 years educating Australia and the world on Nyoongar culture and identity through the arts.

Dave Warner:  musician, novelist, writer and performer who was one of the key voices of the Australian punk movement (1970s).  He has written for TV shows including Sea Patrol, McLeod's Daughters and Packed to the Rafters.