2023 Arty Awards
THANK YOU, TOPEKA!
The 2023 Arty Awards were an amazing celebration of the best and the brightest of the arts all across Topeka, and we are so excited to have been able to honor the following individuals and organizations with 2023 Arty Awards:
Liz Stratton Arts Champion:
Sean Dixon of Visit Topeka Inc.
Community Arts Award:
Living the Dream Inc.
Literary Arts Award:
Kansas Book Festival
Performing Arts:
Dennis Rogers
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts:
Dané Shobe
People’s Choice Award:
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
READ MORE ABOUT EACH HONOREE BELOW
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
EVENT DETAILS
We are currently working to select a date for the 2024 Arty Awards and plan to hold the event at The Beacon for a second year in a row. That information will be posted here AS SOON as it is available!
INTRODUCING THE 2023 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
2023 Liz Stratton Arts Champion Honoree: Sean Dixon, Visit Topeka Inc.
Sean is being recognized with the 2023 Liz Stratton Arts Champion Award for his advocacy and support of the arts in Topeka as the president of Visit Topeka Inc. Sean’s understanding of the importance of the arts in promoting Topeka as a destination has not only resulted in the commission of a new and significant body of artwork in Topeka, but is part of a movement currently underway in the United States that we believe will redefine the field of community-based public art and artist-led efforts to understand complex histories and untold stories. If we are to set the stage for success in the future, we depend on leaders like Sean who are willing to take on the challenge of this work.
Community Arts Award Honoree: Living the Dream Inc.
Living the Dream Inc., is being recognized with the 2023 Community Arts Award for their decades of work to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by supporting the development of youth artists in Topeka. By hosting their annual art, poetry and essay contests, students in Topeka have a unique opportunity to be recognized for their talents. Through their work, Living the Dream Inc. reiterates the critical value of the arts and the work of youth in our community, helping our young people to develop their voices so that they can lead the rest of us along the path of social justice and change.
Literary Arts Award Honoree: Kansas Book Festival
Kansas Book Festival is being honored with the 2023 Literary Arts Award for their commitment to providing access to authors, educational opportunities and more that would not otherwise exist in Topeka. In 2023, the festival boasted a lineup of 50 authors representing the genres of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s fiction through workshops, readings, outdoor performances, a book-art exhibit, food trucks, and exhibitor tents with 35 publishers, nonprofits, and individual authors. Events like this are critical in the arts ecosphere because they give Topeka writers access to renowned authors and experiences, fostering their growth and development as writers.
Performing Arts Award Honoree: Dennis Rogers
Dennis Rogers (Navajo Nation) is being honored with the 2023 Performing Arts Award in recognition of the nearly four decades that he has spent dedicated to performing, teaching and sharing Native American cultural traditions with audiences in Topeka and around the world. Dennis is a multi-talented performing artist – a master of many instruments and modalities of performance. He has also spent countless hours giving back to Topeka and other communities in Kansas and elsewhere by sharing his immense talents with students, serving on boards and committees and stepping in whenever possible to support others in their work to prepare us all for a future filled with the performing arts.
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award Honoree: Dané Shobe
Dané Shobe is being recognized with the 2023 Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award because of his work as a visual artist and the creation of Sun Hero Magazine, which provides a significant addition to the visual arts landscape by highlighting the work of other Black artists in the comic book genre, which is generally dominated by white artists and voices. Dané is also well-known for his work as an actor on stages of all sizes, his knack for teaching and his willingness to use his voice and artistic abilities to support others.
People’s Choice Award: Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
The Alice C. Sabatini Gallery at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is home to Topeka’s oldest art collection available to the public. The nucleus of this collection is focused on European art nouveau glass and ceramics acquired in 1901, having expanded since that time to include regional works alongside those from all over the world. The Sabatini Gallery hosts exhibits that are open to the public and often built for hands-on interaction.
KEEP SCROLLING TO READ ABOUT PAST ARTY AWARD HONOREES!
PAST ARTY AWARD HONOREES (2011-2022)
2022 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Stratton Arts Champion: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
2021 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Champion Award: Kyler Carpenter
Kyler Carpenter is a household name for parents and grandparents all across Topeka. He has spent years sharing his love of music with young people in Topeka. Whether he’s singing and dancing in classes at the library or hosting the weekly “Kid’s Jam” in the summer, Kyler’s hard work, dedication and belief in the power of the arts to change lives has helped to build young talent, encouraging performance, passion for music and self-confidence.
Community Arts Award: Topeka High School
Topeka High School, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the school this year, has played a tremendous role in the arts community of Topeka by offering students world-class experiences in all artistic disciplines. For almost 50 years (1930-1979), the Topeka Art Guild called THS home and this legacy continues to this day with current students displaying their work in the 3rd floor gallery. Thousands of students have taken the stage in beautiful Hoehner Auditorium as actors, singers, poets and musicians. The building itself is a nationally recognized architectural gem – filled with a significant collection of WPA-funded works of art by David Overmyer and Birger Sandzen as well as contemporary murals by artists Mark Flickinger and Alessandra Chavez. This legacy sets the stage for today’s students to be inspired and encouraged – reaping the immense benefits that come from meaningful arts education and experience. Student artists of all disciplines join the ranks of regionally and internationally recognized artists in all disciplines that have come before them.
Literary Arts Award: Speak Easy Poets
Speak Easy Poets is a literary collective that has fostered the creation of new works of poetry and spoken word in Topeka for more than nine years. Organized by poets Annette Billings and Sue Edgerton, their monthly open mic nights have been a haven for writers and poets from all walks of life and all levels of experience, creating an important support network for creatives in Topeka.
Performing Arts Award: The Topeka Cello Collective
The Topeka Cello Collective is a very special Topeka treasure. The group is a community of student cello players under the direction of Erinn Renyer that play cello ensemble music, learn more about performance technique, musicality and have opportunities to perform at community concerts and events. They have gained a reputation for their fantastic non-traditional performances – but part of the real magic is the fact that they offer a non-competitive environment where students can learn and perform both classical and contemporary music and "share the cello love."
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Robert Tapley Bustamante
Robert is a nationally recognized artist who is known for his work on community murals all across Topeka – most recently painting a mural with student artists at the Boys & Girls Club and assisting with addressing hateful vandalism in Santa Fe Park over the summer. You’ll frequently find Robert painting live and sharing his illustrative vibrant style with all of our community. A Topeka native and Topeka High School graduate, Robert has participated in more than 80 art exhibitions and has been painting since 1996.
People’s Choice Award: Round Table Bookstore
Round Table Bookstore is located in the NOTO Arts District and offers a welcoming space where you can find titles by national, regional and local authors. Not only can you buy any book title you’d like, they offer recommendations and readings as well as a great spot to grab a coffee or bite to eat.
2020 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: Governor Laura Kelly
Community Arts Award: seveneightfive Magazine
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Andy Valdivia
Performing Arts Award: Andy McKee
Literary Arts Award: Izzy Wasserstein
People’s Choice Award: Glaciers Edge Winery
2019 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: AIM Strategies
Legacy Award: The Rocha Family Artists (Joseph “Joey” Rocha, Sr., Pat Rocha, Sr., Luke Rocha & Patrick Rocha, Jr.)
Community Arts Award: Leaping Llamas Artisan Shop
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Rosemary Menninger
Performing Arts Award: Suki (Willison) Blakely
Literary Arts Award: Darren Canady
People’s Choice Award: Clover GEAR Reclaimed Art by Ptr Sponseller
2018 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: FHLBank Topeka
Community Arts Award: Great Spaces Art & Music Series
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Jennifer Bohlander
Performing Arts Award: Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
Literary Arts Award: Huascar E. Medina
People’s Choice Award: Amused
A special Legacy Arty Award was presented to each of the artists who executed the Brown v. Board Mural Project. Those artists are: C. Dylan Barker, Blake Benton, Hector A. Bernal, Jordan E. Brooks, Cathy Burchett, Robert Tapley Bustamante, Alessandra Chavez, Daisy Escamilla, Estefana Garcia, Xavier Gayden, Jason Hanna, Dar Hosseini, Bryan Kincade, Christina Klein-Tross, Felix Maull, B.J. McBride, Oshara Meesha, Sara Myer, Justin Newhouse, Andrea Nix, Asha Rae Slack, Timothy Steward, Michael Toombs (Artistic Director), Chloe Thompson, Lois Visser-Ulrich, Eric Underwood, Andy Valdivia, Yesenia Villarreal, Jandy Wills, Woody Woodward and Diane Wurzer.
2017 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: Maggie & Dale Warren
Community Arts Award: YWCA Center for Safety & Empowerment
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Cally Krallman
Performing Arts Award: Kansas Youth Chorale
Literary Arts Award: Dennis Etzel
People’s Choice Award: NexLynx
A special Arty Award was presented to former Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast for his dedication to promoting, supporting and advocating for the arts in Topeka.
2016 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: Judith & Frank Sabatini
Community Arts Award: Downtown Topeka, Inc.
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Larry Peters
Performing Arts Award: Martinez Hillard
Literary Arts Award: Leah Sewell
People’s Choice Award: Matryoshka Tattoo
Legacy Award: Topeka Art Guild
A special Arty Award was presented to artist Jamie Colon for his exceptional dedication and work with the Topeka Mural Project.
2015 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: Glenn & Claire Swogger
Community Arts Award: Aaron Douglas Art Fair
Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Shelly Bedsaul
Performing Arts Award: Kansas Ballett
Literary Arts Award: Annette Billings
People’s Choice Award: SouthWind Gallery
2014 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: Stan & Jody Teeter
Community Arts Award: Tonantzin Society
Visual Arts Award: Jim Bass
Performing Arts Award: Topeka Jazz Workshop
Literary Arts Award: TSCPL Community Novel Project
People’s Choice Award: 2 Wolves Studio & Artist Den
2013 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Liz Stratton Arts Patron Award: Betty Sisk
Community Arts Award: Mulvane Art Fair
Visual Arts Award: Deggingers' Foundry
Performing Arts Award: Phil Grecian
Literary Arts Award: Deb Bisel
People’s Choice Award: Yeldarb Art Gallery
2012 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Arts Patron Award: Liz Stratton
Visual Arts Award: Edward Navone
Performing Arts Award: Dale Easton
Literary Arts Award: Thomas Fox Averill
Emerging Artist: Ad Astra Theatre Ensemble
Non-Traditional Artist: Frank Schultz as Diva DeVine
Outstanding Arts Organization: Topeka Symphony Orchestra
Outstanding Educators: Mulvane Education Department
Business Patron of the Arts: Warehouse 414
Outstanding Volunteer: Betty McEnroe Casper
2011 ARTY AWARD HONOREES
Performing Arts Award: Shannon Reilly
Visual Arts Award: Barbara Waterman-Peters
Literary Arts Award: Max Yoho
Emerging Artist: Justin Marable
Non-Traditional Artist: Ron Lessman, Truckhenge
Outstanding Arts Organization: Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy
Outstanding Volunteer(s): The NOTO Board of Directors
Outstanding Business Patron: Capitol Federal Foundation
Outstanding Individual Patron: Kerrice Mapes
Outstanding School: Washburn Rural High School
Outstanding Art Educator: Victoria Tryon-Cagan