The 2021 Artists of the Year
Art Spark Texas is pleased to announce the 2021 Artist of the Year Awards Ceremony taking place Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:30 PM CDT in Austin.
The event will be live streamed this year and will provide the following accommodations: ASL, audio description and captioning. All are welcome to attend virtually. All ages are welcome. RSVPs are requested.
This will be a virtual event. Please RSVP here.
The awards honor Texas artists with disabilities who, through a one-time creative act or a substantial record of achievement, embody the spirit and vision of Art Spark Texas. The awards are open to any artist with a disability over the age of 16 years, in any discipline, including visual art, dance, music, performance, craft and writing.
2021 Award Recipients
- Joan Lawson - 2021 Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year
- Ryan Schmidt - 2021 Spark Award
- Miguel Hernandez (DJ MIK ONE) - 2021 Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
- Gary Bachers - 2021 Mobile Art Award
- Maria R. Pérez - 2021 Director's Commendation
2021 Artists of the Year Awards Ceremony
This will be a virtual live event:
- Sunday, September 19, 2021
- 1:00-3:30 PM CDT
- Online event (details to follow)
- Purchase your Mystery Art Box here. Local pickup available at the Art Spark offices. Shipping available $3 per box.
Sponsors
Thank you to our Artist of the Year Awards Sponsors
- Business Sponsor: Austin Lighthouse
- Supporting Sponsor: Denise Bermudez
Become a 2021 Artist of the Year Awards Sponsor! Purchase here or for more information, please contact [email protected]
Award Descriptions
We are pleased to announce the 2020 Art Spark Texas Artist of the Year Awards. Thank you to our nominators and to the artists for giving of their talent to the world.
The 2021 Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year Award is offered in memory of former Art Spark Texas Board member Forrest Haven Street-Allen, and honors an artist with a disability in Texas who, through a one-time creative act or a substantial record of achievement, embodies the vision of Art Spark Texas. This Award honors Haven’s commitment to creating greater access to, and support for, the full inclusion of all people society through the arts.
The 2021 Mobile Art Award is given to an artist age 65 or older, who exemplifies the creative aging philosophy of Art Spark Texas. Mobile Art was started by Theresa Zelazny, as a tribute to her mother and fellow artist, Gloria Hall Bond. Mobile Art brings art experiences to older adults where they live, helping to defeat isolation and depression.
The 2021 SPARK Award is given to one artist with a disability living in Texas who embodies the spirit and purpose of Art Spark Texas.
The 2021 Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award is given to an artist with a disability in Texas who displays passion and commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through the use of media arts, i.e., video, filmmaking, photography, etc. Lynn was a beloved, longtime staff member of Art Spark Texas, and a strong advocate for representation of people with disabilities in the media. This Award recognizes Lynn’s unwavering dedication to, and powerful impact on, the lives of artists and patrons with disabilities.
The 2021 Director’s Commendation is given to an artist with a disability living in Texas who, through their tireless advocacy, represents the inclusive world that Art Spark Texas works to create every day.
ABOUT ART SPARK
Art Spark Texas challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating inclusive, arts-inspired communities of individuals with diverse abilities. The Art Spark Texas Artist of the Year Awards were created in 2017 to celebrate the achievements of artists with disabilities from all artistic disciplines in Texas. For more information about the award winners, and to receive information about the award celebration, contact [email protected].
2020 Award Winners
2019 Winners
About the Haven Allen Award
The Haven Allen Artist of the Year Award is offered in memory of Art Spark Texas former board member Forrest Haven Street-Allen. The award honors an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the arts.
Each year, the Artist of the Year Award is given to one artist with a disability in Texas who, through a one-time creative act or a substantial record of achievement, embodies the spirit and vision of Art Spark Texas. This individual challenges perceptions of how people contribute by demonstrating artistic excellence or leading the way as a community catalyst for change.
In addition to a plaque commemorating artistic achievement, each award also consists of an honorarium of $500, recognition as a featured artist on the Art Spark Texas website, and an invitation to attend our annual event as the guest of honor to be publicly recognized for individual artistic achievements.
Nominations are open to any artist with a disability over the age of 16 years in any discipline including visual art, dance, music, performance, craft, and writing. Self-nominations are allowed as well as multiple nominations for an individual.
For more information call us toll-free at 1-866-489-8412 or email [email protected].
