Artist Awards are in 4 Categories:

The Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year Award honors an individual whose work affirms that the power of an artistic spirit, combined with determination and will, can influence and shape our society. Each year, this award is given to an artist with a disability in Texas who embodies the vision of Art Spark Texas.

The Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award honors an artist who displays passion and commitment to the promotion and awareness of people with disabilities in our digital world. Each year, this award is given to an artist with a disability in Texas whose work as producer, artist, writer, director or other creative in the media arts embodies the mission of Art Spark Texas.

The SPARK Award honors an up-and-coming artist who represents the inclusive, arts-inspired world that Art Spark Texas works to create every day. Each year, this award is given to an emerging Texas artist with a disability whose infectious and innovative spirit shifts perceptions of what people with disabilities can achieve.

The Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award honors an older artist who continues to express their creativity and/or demonstrates a willingness to explore new art forms as they age. Each year, this award is given to a Texas artist who exemplifies the vital aging philosophy of Art Spark Texas. Nominations are open to any individual over the age of 65 years in any discipline, including visual art, dance, music, performance, craft, media and writing.

Each award includes an honorarium and an invitation to attend our annual event as a guest of honor to be publicly recognized for their achievements. The 2025 event will be in Austin on Sunday, September 21st, 2025 from 1-4 pm at the Rollins Theatre. Travel expenses will be covered for out-of-town awardees.

A panel of judges will jury nominations and the results will be announced in June 2025.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-veterans-art-in-nature-workshop-tickets-1255875089199?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Led by Amarillo artist Summer Balcer, we will be painting the canyon from Tasajillo Pavilion in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. All supplies provided.

Open to beginners and experienced painters alike.This event is specifically for Veterans, current, and prior military, and their family members. Kids welcome with parent supervision.

If you have questions, please contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org or 512-632-0515.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-the-canyon-tickets-1007960756757?aff=oddtdtcreator

Participate in the creation of a collective mandala by utilizing natural elements found in the park’s environment. Employing biodegradable materials ensures seamless integration of the artwork with the surrounding landscape. Participants are encouraged to bring short sticks, rocks, and flower petals (excluding seeds).

Veterans and current and prior military and their family members are invited to attend this nature based visual art workshop.

The day will start with a nature hike, then attendees will create mandalas.

This creative workshop is free and will be held at Government Canyon Natural State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX 78254 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and includes entry fee and snacks.

**Notes: Plan for April weather conditions. We will be under a covered pavilion. The event will include a nature walk. ADA accessible trails are available and there will be options for hikes based on your personal activity level. Service animals are allowed on leash. Children with supervision allowed in workshop with a parent or plan to bring your family to enjoy the park for the day as you participate in the workshop.

The workshop will be led by Salina Loriaux, LPC-AT/S, ATR-BC, CCST

Salina holds a master’s degree in creative arts therapy from Pratt Institute. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor in the state of Texas, a Board-Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Sandtray Therapist-Trainer. Salina specializes in mindfulness, addressing trauma, managing depression, anxiety, and grief, with a particular focus on working with military personnel. As a Military Veteran and spouse, Salina brings a distinctive perspective to her therapeutic practice, combining her roles as an artist and nature enthusiast. She is an active member of professional associations, including the American Art Therapy Association, South Texas Art Therapy Association, and the Texas Sandtray Association.

Limited spots available. Register!

This workshop is made possible with funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. If you have questions, please contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org or 512-454-9912 ext 103.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/824642125797?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join female veterans for a nature walk at Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217. Then, we will gather inside the education center for nature art and yoga.

** Please wear appropriate clothing and walking shoes for the nature walk. This event is specifically for Women Veterans, current, and prior military.

Only 20 spots available.

In partnership with At Ease Texas and the North Texas VA with funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. If you have questions, please contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org or 512-454-9912 ext 103.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/676964889207

Reconnect with Nature at Green Trees Farm, an equine facility and a quiet country retreat. Women Veterans, and current and prior military are invited out to Green Trees Farm at 2520 Rock Road, Troy, TX 76579 on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 9 am to noon for a reflective nature walk on the Green Trees Farm Grace Trail®, then gather in the arena for a horse circle where you can meet, interact and learn from horses up close, and then head to the barn to decorate your own journal provided by Help Heal Vets. Use your journal to write about your experience and sketch the horses.
**Please note, this is an all outdoor experience. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Please register to secure your spot, food, and supplies. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-vet-art-and-nature-workshop-troy-tx-horses-art-writing-walking-tickets-634107290977

If you have questions, please contact April Sullivan at april@artsparktx.org or 512-454-9912 ext 103.

Funding for this project is sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

By April Sullivan

Jarrad Hamilton is a Dallas area artist whom I met a few years ago when he entered some of our Veteran exhibitions. Jarrad is from Augusta, Georgia where he started making art at two years old. He would draw on scraps of paper that his mother gave him and always looked forward to getting the pink papers, not realizing that the pink ones meant they were late bills or an eviction notice. He finds it interesting the dichotomy of that memory being one of beauty and joy for him, even though it may have been the opposite for his mom. 

Jarrad now lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and children. He makes art for the Neo-Soul or the progressive soul. One of my favorite things about talking to Jarrad is watching his brilliant mind in action. When I asked Jarrad about the medium that he works in, he answered in typical Jarrad fashion – by going beyond the answer of saying his medium is acrylic because he likes the vibrancy of colors. 

A medium is a substance that is used to express, so, for Jarrad, life is the ultimate medium. It is where artists get the inspiration to express themselves. A medium can also be defined as a person who can communicate with the dead, acting as a conduit and allowing us to connect. A conduit, such as the copper wires that run through the electrical system to allow the electricity to flow through. So, as an artist, a medium such as acrylic paint is like the copper wires, allowing us to express our artistic energy to the world. See what I mean? Wow! 

Jarrad’s artwork comes from his dreams, visions, and daydreams. He dreams in black and white and adds color to it. He sees his work as alive. The energy flowing through it is alive. Each new piece is like starting a new relationship. They go through their ups and downs together. When he begins a painting, even he doesn’t know what it is, or where it is going. He paints the composition as it comes to him, and eventually the meaning is revealed to him, which is always exhilarating. 

Jarrad’s art is inspired by his African American culture, his military experience, and, as he said, life in general. He uses art as a form of healing and therapy. He likes to use symbols in his art, because symbols are a way to communicate that which can be larger than words, and represent something bigger than us. 

Jarrad’s advice to other artists is to learn how to be yourself. Learn who you are. Think about what you like, not what you dislike. The things we dislike make us more of a human. The things we like make us more of an artist because we want to share those things with other people. And learn your story. Your testimonial is the most powerful thing you have to share. 

To view and experience Jarrad Hamilton’s art, visit jarradhamilton.com or find him on Instagram at @he.art33 or Facebook at jarradfineart.