Sharon Meriash is originally from North Carolina but has made Denver her home for the past 20 years. Her earliest memories involve taking photographs as a child growing up along the Outer Banks. Her love of photography continues to be her outlet professionally and socially. For many years she was a documentation photographer for the Denver Botanic Gardens, recording thousands of plants for the gardens. Images she produced during that time received national attention and opened the door for her work to be exhibited in many fine art galleries around the United States. Most recently Meriash has been creating dimensional wall pieces wth a laser machine and 3D printer based on her original photographs. She also loves beading in the Huichol Art spirit in honor of places and people she spent time with in Mexico. She reserves this one-of-a-kind art for her donation work including this year's mask.

"Honu Dreams" is gold leafed and hand beaded in the Huichol Art style and is a tribute to the great sea turtles of Hawaii who have sadly almost disappeared from the islands due to humans. Over the last few years Hawaii put laws in place to protect the threatened green sea turtle (honu). Upon a recent stay in Hawaii I swam with these beautiful creatures. Locals shared stories of the noticeable honu population growth. The Hawaiian word "Honu" symbolizes good luck, endurance and long life. Turtles can show up as a person's guardian spirit, known as "Aumakua" and when lost,are excellent navigators often finding their way home. May we all find our way home.