Photos by Jay Douglass
May 3, 2018
The 40th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards were held on Tuesday, May 1, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Presented by Mayor Chris Beutler and the Lincoln Arts Council, the 40th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards were presented during a ceremony Tuesday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
This year’s honorees:
Outstanding Arts Organization: Ann Burkholder is the designer, developer and owner of The Burkholder Project, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in November. The Historic Haymarket building houses galleries and artists’ studios. Sponsor: Downtown Lincoln Association
Artistic Achievement Award – Performing Arts – Jackie Allen is a professional jazz vocal artist and teacher. Sponsor: Avery Woods
Artistic Achievement Award – Visual Arts: Internationally recognized doll artist Shelley Thornton is a member of the prestigious National Institute of American Doll Artists, and her work has been widely exhibited in the U.S. and six other countries. Sponsors: Joe and Judye Ruffo
Artistic Achievement Award – Youth: Lincoln High Senior Mackenzie Davenport is an entrepreneur, director and performer who established the Silicon Prairie Theatre Company, a youth-led nonprofit. Sponsors: Annette and Jerry Hall
Artistic Achievement Award – Literary Arts: Lincoln Journal Star reporter L. Kent Wolgamott has covered music, movies and the visual arts since 1985. Sponsor: Commercial Investment Properties
Gladys Lux Education Award: Concert pianist and teacher Dr. Feifei Jiang started the JF International Music Academy in 2015 to offer music lessons and performance opportunities for students of all ages. Endowed by the Gladys Lux Foundation
The Legacy of the Arts Award: Visual artist and teacher Julia Noyes owns the Noyes Art Gallery, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. She also organizes the annual Art in the Park event to benefit the City Parks and Recreation Department. Sponsor: Legacy Retirement Communities
Heart of the Arts Award: Visual artist Peggy Gomez owns Gomez Art Supply, operates the nonprofit Tugboat Gallery and organizes the annual Lincoln Bike Art Tour. Sponsor: Runza® National
The ArtScene Backstage Award: Eileen Brewster recently retired after serving as the Lied Center’s Ticket Office Manager for 30 years. Sponsors: Chris and Kelley Baker
Outstanding Event Award: The Nebraska by Heart public art project was an official event of the Nebraska 150 Celebration, and the auction of 89 heart sculptures benefitted two nonprofits — Lead Up and the Sadie Dog Fund. Sponsors: Kathryn and Marc LeBaron
Benefactor of the Arts Award: Lincoln native Don Campbell was the benefactor of the new Chief Standing Bear memorial sculpture by Ben Victor, which was installed last year on Nebraska’s Centennial Mall. Sponsor: Pinnacle Bank
Lincoln Community Foundation Arts for Kids Award: The Lincoln Children’s Museum is being recognized for incorporating the arts into all aspects of its programming. Sponsor: Lincoln Community Foundation.
Mayor’s Choice Award: Visual artist Francisco Souto has taught at UNL since 2004 and was recently named Director of the School of Art, Art History and Design. His work has been honored with more than 45 national and international awards and grants. Sponsor: Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather LLP
Enersen Urban Design Award: The Urban Design Committee selected for the renovation of Nebrask’s Centennial Mall. Key project partners being honored are the Capitol Environs Commission, the Lincoln Parks Foundation, the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department and The Clark Enersen Partners. Sponsor: The Clark Enersen Partners
Kimmel Foundation Emerging Artist Awards: visual artist Hannah Demma and writer Ivan Young. Sponsor: Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation.
Jay Douglass is an editorial intern with KZUM.
