The winners of the 2006 Phoenix Awards are teachers, architects, event planners, bookstore owners, pharmaceutical researchers, radio hosts, retired professors, jazz musicians and textile artists.

What they have in common, though, is a passion for the arts. Some of them make it. Others sell it. Still others promote and support it.

They were nominated by their peers for making outstanding contributions to the local arts scene, and the Lawrence Arts Commission picked the final eight winners:

¢ Clyde Bysom, musical arts

¢ Karen Lane Christilles, performing arts

¢ Pat Kehde and Mary Lou Wright, literary arts

¢ Mary Anne Jordan, visual arts

¢ Jane Malin, arts volunteer

¢ Laurie McLane-Higginson, educator in the arts

¢ Bob and Trish McWilliams, exceptional artistic achievement

¢ Dan Sabatini, arts volunteer

Each will receive a panoramic landscape photograph taken by Baldwin photographer Edward C. Robison III during a public reception at 2 p.m. today at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.