Recipient of Performing Arts Wish announced 

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center announced Cooper Hawes, a local student and aspiring musician, as the recipient of the 2018 Performing Arts Wish. Hawes was gifted with a vintage Ernie Ball electric guitar along with complimentary guitar lessons for one year.

Cooper, 11, currently attends Teach Elementary School in SLO and became interested in music after his father, Guy Hawes, passed away in June. He was inspired to start taking guitar lessons in order to share in something his father once loved, Lisa Hawes, Cooper's mother, said in a press release.

"At his father's memorial, Cooper was especially moved by the musical tributes," Lisa said. "Guy's friends played guitar in honor of his father, and Cooper became determined to carry on this part of his dad."

"Our committee was deeply touched when Cooper's mom shared how music had become an important part of his healing and so helpful in communicating his loss," Leann Standish, executive director of the Foundation, said in the press release. "All of us at the Foundation believe that arts have a transformative and therapeutic power. We were thrilled to be able to grant his wish." Δ