Artist of the Year Awards

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
Joan Lawson
Joan Lawson - 2021 Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year
Photo of Ryan Schmidt
Ryan Schmidt - 2021 SPARK Award
Miguel Hernandez (DJ Mik)
Miguel Hernandez (DJ MIK ONE) - 2021 Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
Gary Bachers
Gary Bachers 2021 Mobile Art Award Winner
MariaR. Perez
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.

Artist of the Year Awards logo

Sponsors

Thank you to our Artist of the Year Awards Sponsors

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

Artist of the year banner logo
Robert_Kelley
Robert Kelley - 2020 Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year
Garry Flemmons
Gary Flemmons - 2020 Mobile Art Award
Tom Olin photo
Tom Olin - 2020 Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
Josh Pflueger, 2020 SPARK Award Winner.
Adam Farris
Adam Farris - 2020 Director’s Commendation

2019 Winners

2020 Artist Award winners
artist dressed in tuxedo and seated in wheelchair poses next to one of his paintings
Randy Souders, Haven Allen Artist of the Year Award Winner
artist tips his fedora hat in an art gallery
Brandon Lack - 2019 SPARK Award
two men in wheelchairs sit behind black table with two microphones and a blue screen in the background
Gene Rodgers and Dave Dauber, Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award Winners
woman poses next to her art
Susan Beattie - 2019 Director’s Commendation

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].

colorful glass spiral with plaque underneath reading Haven Allen Artist of the Year Joan Fabian 2018
two dancers, one in a wheelchair, pose on a glass walkway
Art Spark Texas logo

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