Athanas receives Bill Biven award

April 18, 2011

University Relations

Reyne Athanas, Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center Coordinator for the UAF Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, was recently awarded the Bill Biven Award from the Bethel Chamber of Commerce. The honor is accorded to a citizen for his or her contributions to the community. Reyne is an artist, art instructor for the campus, humanitarian, Art Guild and Tundra Women's Coalition founder and innovator. She has leveraged grant money to offer business classes, Native Art classes, a pre-Alaska Marketplace small business/entrepreneur competition called the "Best of the West" and started a wildly popular Saturday Market. She is involved in most creative events in the area, and spurs others to also get involved. Reyne holds summer art camps for kids, recently helped the Lions Club raise over $2,500 for the local food bank and is spearheading the revival of the Bethel Community Fair.