In honor of the spirit of Zach Culliton, who passed away on March 7, 2008, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art established on March 25, 2008, an annual award in Zach Culliton’s name—The Zach Culliton Merit of Distinction.

Background: Zach Culliton, son of Tim and Terri Culliton, was 19 years old when he died from the cumulative impacts of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, a degenerative neuro-muscular disease, that he was diagnosed with at a very early age. Zach distinguished himself over the years as a person who accepted his challenges with humility, but as someone who refused to be defined by his illness. Zach displayed a love of art at an equally early age and pursued this passion throughout his life. He entered as a student at the Montana State College of Technology in the fall of 2007 after graduating from Great Falls Public High School where he participated in the Advanced Art Placement program. In 2007, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) honored Zach with their international Yes, I Can award in visual art, which was established to “acknowledge the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; overcome barriers caused by public misconceptions; encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential; and increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities.” On the occasion of the award, President George W. Bush congratulated Zach on his achievement via a personal letter.

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art showcased Zach Culliton’s accomplishments on at least three occasions—2 exhibitions of Shark Car that Zach designed, which was built by fellow students, and an exhibition in 2007 titled Zach Culliton: Bio Creations. In the exhibition narrative, The Square’s Curator of Art, Bob Durden, wrote: The physical act of drawing is one that many of us take for granted, though we may never ultimately master. For Zach, the process is a hurdle that is surmounted by sheer willfulness. With limited mobility in his arms, the artist holds his pencil and moves the paper slowly to capture his marks, which record the playful side of his young mind. The nature of art is to remind us that we are not alone in the frontier, and Zach’s vision leads us on a journey of exploration in the universe that he invents.

Purpose of Award: The award is intended to not only honor Zach Culliton’s memory, but to encourage and promote, by example, the attributes of courage and determination that he expressed. The award will be given each year during the Great Falls Public Schools Student Art Exhibition reception to a student who has distinguished him/herself/they in a meaningful manner in the face of difficult challenges. Those challenges need not be purely physical. Overcoming economic, emotional, developmental, or other challenges would be equally considered along with a student’s ability to inspire others through their self-determination and positive acts.