2022 Arty Awards

A celebration of the best and the brightest of the arts all across Topeka, the Arty Awards honor artists and organizations working to make Topeka stronger through the arts.

Attendees will enjoy complimentary drinks and a beautiful outdoor celebration of the arts in Topeka - a chance to spend some time with fellow artists and art lovers! More information can be found at www.artstopeka.org/artyawards.

2022 ARTY AWARD HONOREES

Liz Stratton Arts Champion Award: Topeka Community Foundation
The Topeka Community Foundation is being honored for their commitment to supporting the arts in Topeka. Through this commitment, they have demonstrated a deep understanding of how investing in the arts can create long-term community change across all sectors.

Community Arts Award: Preston Walker
Preston is being honored for his unwavering and persistent dedication to creating opportunities for artists and audiences in a variety of venues - outdoor community events, virtual productions and Black Chamber, the DIY venue he operates.

Literary Arts Award: Louise Krug
Louise is being honored for her work as a writer, teacher and her work in the community to utilize the written word as a tool for healing. Her work is full of heart and is an important addition to the conversation about individuals with disabilities.

Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Jake Jackson
Jake is being honored for his exceptional abilities as a special effects makeup artist, commitment to including local actors in internationally-recognized films and helping to put Topeka on the map as a place that makes space for visual artists working in all disciplines.

Performing Arts Award: Steven Massey
Steven is being honored for his work as a teacher, mentor, community leader and owner of It Takes A Village, Inc. He creates opportunities through the performing arts by providing programs and performance opportunities that would otherwise not exist in Topeka.

People's Choice Award: 785 Arts
785 Arts is an authentic Native American art gallery that features authentic contemporary Indigenous art in addition to local art. 785 Arts offers classes as well as school presentations for all ages in traditional Cherokee doublewall basketry, cornhusk people, and Cherokee language.