In 1993, Diana Madaras ran a marketing company. Now she's one of Tucson's most well-known visual artists, one of the few in the country who owns two galleries where she showcases her work (and that of more than a dozen other artists). Madaras also gives back to the community captured in her art: money from her works has supported more than 100 charities, and she's the president and founder of her own nonprofit, the Art for Animals Foundation. Yes, she's a dog lover—with a whole line of "dog art."
Runners up:
2. Joe Pagac
3. Donovan White
