Announcing The Honorees: 2024 ARTY AWARDS
On Wednesday, November 13th, ArtsConnect will hold the 14th annual Arty Awards. The event will be held at The Beacon, located at 9th & Topeka Blvd. Tickets are $35 for the general public and $20 for artists. This event supports the ongoing work of ArtsConnect to support the arts in all disciplines all across Topeka.
“Every year, the Arty Awards celebrate a list of artists, organizations and individuals that have made the arts a priority – and that’s what it’s all about: We must prioritize the arts because they offer a common language through which we can understand one another and bridge gaps that might otherwise divide us. The arts are a tool for development of our hearts, our souls and our community,” said Sarah Fizell, executive director of ArtsConnect. “I can’t think of a better reason to come together in celebration and I hope that everyone in Topeka will feel invited to celebrate with us!”
Liz Stratton Arts Champion Honoree: Edie & Don Snethen
Edie & Don Snethen have been key stakeholders in the Topeka arts community for decades. Their true belief in the transformative power of the arts in community and interest in finding new ways to engage and solidify arts support in Topeka is something from which all Topekans benefit.
Legacy Arts Award Honoree: Mulvane Art Museum
The Mulvane Art Museum will receive the Legacy Arts Award this year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the museum. The museum houses a collection of more than 6,000 objects from around the world, including paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative art. The Museum's art education program provides educational outreach to many schools throughout the region. People of all ages and abilities engage with the Mulvane through art workshops, public lectures, family events, and community experiences.
Community Arts Award Honoree: Fire Me Up Ceramics
Fire Me Up Ceramics is an independent group of artists working in a common studio space in the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District showcasing art and hosting community events and exhibitions while providing affordable studio space and clay classes. Fire Me Up plays a special role in the Topeka arts community by creating an inclusive space that encourages all people to fall in love with clay - and to use clay as a tool for self-expression, development and healing.
Literary Arts Award Honoree: Andy Farkas
Andrew Farkas is an associate professor of creative writing at Washburn University whose passion for writing is reflected in his classroom as he inspires students to express themselves through the written word and encourages them to explore the world through literature. During his time at Washburn, his own writing has been published in every corner of the literary world (a novel, story collections, an essay collection) and he has helped others into print via his editing for multiple publications.
Suki Blakely Performing Arts Award Honoree: Kansas Premiere of Brothers of the Dust
The Kansas Premiere of Brothers of the Dust was written by Darren Canady, directed by Sharon Sullivan and produced by Washburn University Theatre and the Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links Incorporated. Its all-Black cast included Khalani Britt, Carmelle Garcia, Jason Jones, Laressa Kelpin, Nyalia Lui, JoAnna Marks, Elijah Reed, and Dané Shobe. The sold-out performances in March were the culmination of 18 months of collaboration – a commitment to audience engagement, storytelling and artistic excellence.
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award Honoree: Aisha Imani
Aisha Imani Sanaa is a visual artist whose practice embodies a vision to create art, projects and spaces that promote joy, liberation, resiliency and wellness. She was the 2021 Aaron Douglas Art Fair featured artist, was selected to be part of the 2023 Artist INC Topeka cohort and is a recipient of the 2024 Charlotte Street Foundation’s Rocket Grant award. Recently, she served as lead artist for an exhibit at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, entitled “Picture the Dream” and co-led a community art project at the Mulvane Art Museum, served as the curator for For the Culture KS and designed the traveling exhibit called “Women of Brown.”
People’s Choice Award: Michael Mize
Mize Art Studio is owned by artist and teacher Michael Mize. This active gallery and classroom offers art classed for all ages and in almost all media and styles. Michael has nearly 30 years of experience as an artist and taught art in public high school for 18 years. His teaching style draws on these years of experience and give students an opportunity to experiment with many different styles of art and the confidence they need to continue creating.
Special Recognition: The Way of Light Spoken Word Operetta Choir
This group of dedicated individuals worked tirelessly to bring to life a spoken word operetta entitled “The Way of Light” which was part of the 70th anniversary commemoration of Brown v. Board. More than 30 people strong, the choir was made up of regular Topekans, most of whom had little or no experience on stage. They brought to life a new work of performance art that was technically complex and told an important story – eventually performed in front of a full house at White Concert Hall. The dedication, kindness, flexibility and hard work that they brought to this effort was exceptional in every way. The operetta was co-written by vanessa german, Angel Haze and August Hartley and was performed by : Annette Billings, Deborah Dawkins, Alice Eberhart-Wright, Bridget Elmer, Andrew Fields, Emily Fincher, Tonya Fisher, Harvey Leroy Flowers, J'Quory Guest, Lesley Hayward, SJ HAZIM, Leonese Heath-Shobe, Karen Hiller, Laurie Jackson, Stacy Jeffress, Imani Johnson, Jean MacLeay, Jontea Marie, Virginia Mendoza, Valerie Mendoza, Susan Schmitz, Kim Scott, Tamika Sellars, Cyane Shipley, LA Talbert, Carlos Velez, Dr. Tara Wallace, Ana Wilkins and Jim Williams.
