Lincoln Arts Awards 2026

Sponsored by Ellen and Pat Beans & Bob and Lana Browne

Larry Small’s philanthropy is a cornerstone of the Lincoln community. As a dedicated advocate for the city’s development, Larry has spent decades channeling resources into the arts, healthcare, and education, viewing his contributions as an investment in the human capital of Nebraska. 

Larry’s influence is woven into the very fabric of the city’s nonprofit sector. His philosophy centers on the belief that a thriving city is built on the strength of its local institutions and the well-being of its citizens. Whether supporting local hospitals or championing cultural landmarks, Larry Small remains a driving force behind the scenes, ensuring Lincoln remains a vibrant place to live and lead.

Larry also enjoys collecting art, which he says is best described by Edgar Degas: “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” This is best represented by his donation of the sculpture of Dr.

Francis La Flesche Picotte on the Capital Parkway. Larry has purchased art from artists and sculptors over the past 60 years, including Aaron Holz, Julia Noyes, and Olena Mosiyevych. To honor his late wife, Margaret, he commissioned five paintings by Aaron Holz for the April Sampson Cancer Center. Each portrays an African plant reputed to prevent or help to cure cancer.

Sponsored by Douglas and Mary Campbell

Executive Director of I SEE MELODY, Zach Watkins is an award-winning recording artist, graphic/print designer, and educator. From elementary orchestra to high school symphony and varsity Jazz, Zach began his music journey from grade school into Boston’s Berklee College of Music, where he studied Jazz Percussion – leading him into full scholarships in music performance at 2 Nebraska state colleges. Cultivated by his youth athletic coaching and his collegiate years in the education program, Zach instructed and mentored as a public school/program educator for over 15 years, and in 2022 was awarded Lincoln Public Schools Inspiring Staff Member Award. 

A true representative of the independent recording artist, Zach has created and developed 2 internationally recognized bands – accumulating 7 regionally acknowledged tours, 4 nationally recognized music festivals, 11 unofficial SXSW showcases, 3 internationally acclaimed albums, opening act for The Knux, Lupe Fiasco, Durand Jones, Matt & Kim, and more. In 2016, Zach signed a recording agreement with independent record label The Record Machine and is now actively composing and producing music professionally.

Sponsored by Margaret & John Stevens Berry

Maria Nazos’ poetry, essays, and translations are published or forthcoming in Poets & Writers, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. She served for several years as the editorial assistant for the former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser and his nationally syndicated newspaper column, “American Life in Poetry.”

Maria is the author of the poetry collection PULSE (Omnidawn 2026) and The Slow Horizon that Breathes (World Poetry Books 2026), a translated collection from the Greek poet Dimitra Kotoula, which is longlisted for the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award.

She received scholarships and fellowships from the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, Kimmel Harding Nelson Foundation, the University of Nebraska, and the Vermont Studio Center.

After a tumultuous career as a whale-watching boat attendant, a table dancer, and the worst waitress on the Eastern Seaboard, she has settled into a quieter life in Lincoln, Nebraska. If she spilled Pinot Noir on you, she sincerely apologizes.

Sponsored by Judy Maupin

Mike Semrad is a Nebraska-based creative force whose work spans music, production, and arts leadership. In 2025, he wrote and produced an original musical, showcasing his passion for storytelling and live performance. As the founder of Noizel, a digital streaming platform, Semrad has created new opportunities for Nebraska bands and podcasters to gain exposure while earning meaningful revenue. He also runs Sower Records, an independent label dedicated to supporting regional artists and cultivating original talent.

An active performer, Semrad plays in his own bands, The Bottle Tops and Mike Semrad & The Riverhawks, bringing his love of live music directly to the stage. Beyond performing, he is a driving force in Nebraska’s music scene, booking festivals and shows across the state and connecting artists with audiences. He currently serves as General Manager of the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame, helping honor and elevate the state’s rich artistic legacy while continuing to build a vibrant creative community.

Sponsored by Julie and Fred Hoppe

Maddie Hinrichs is a visual artist based in Lincoln, whose work explores the emotional and psychological complexities of domestic spaces through oil painting and embroidery. She received her MFA from the University at Albany in 2022, where she was awarded the Distinguished MFA Thesis Award, and her BFA from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2019.

Hinrichs has exhibited nationally in both solo and group exhibitions, including Lead Me to Loose Me at Lux Center for the Arts, In Praise of Shadows at Project Project, and the 2025 Miami University Young Painters Competition, where she received second place.

She completed a two-year residency at the Lux Center for the Arts, where she is now the Gallery Specialist. She has held teaching positions at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Midland University, and Ashland University. Across all her roles, Hinrichs remains committed to investigating the boundaries between illusion and reality, and the ways we construct and respond to personal spaces.

Sponsored by Filament Essential Services

Eleanor “L” Magilton has been making art since she arrived on Earth in January 2015. She attends classes at The Lux Center, “Art Gang” by Jen Landis, and at the Makit Takit Craft Studio, where she is a “Makit Master.” In May 2026 her work was included in the Linked2Literacy ‘House on Mango Street’ Project Art Show, focused on themes of identity.

L has an art tutor, Natalie Henning, who helps her explore new styles and refine her skills every month. When asked to describe her work, L says “I like to make OCs (original characters) that represent the LGBTQ+ community. I have different styles. One is cartoony while the other is realistic.” L mostly uses pencil, alcohol markers, and paint. L is attending Lefler Middle School in fall 2026 and hopes to attend the LPS Arts and Humanities Focus Program. She dreams of becoming an animator as an adult.

Sponsored by Larry Small

Erin Butcher was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. She received her BFA at UNL-Lincoln, and shortly after graduating, she began working at the Burkholder Project in the Haymarket. Through her work at the gallery, she has found joy in connecting artists with the resources and opportunities that help them feel confident and connected in our local art scenes. She spends her free time creating colorful and silly acrylic paintings, gardening, and watching movies with her partner. 

She values everyone who contributes to the arts community in their own way and is in awe of all the artists who continue to create in a society that often gives little reward to the arts. Her hope is that we continue to inspire each other.

Since the beginning of human history, we have made marks on cave walls and carved images into wood and stone. Erin Butcher is happy to be a small part of one of the oldest practices in our shared history on this beautiful planet.

Sponsored by Clarity Financial

Del Whitman is a transformative figure in Lincoln’s music education landscape, revered for his ability to turn a standard classroom into a vibrant symphony of growth. As a seasoned educator within the Lincoln Public Schools system, Whitman has spent decades nurturing the technical skills and creative spirits of thousands of students. Known for his infectious energy and “lead from the podium” philosophy, he specializes in building inclusive programs where every student—from the first-chair violinist to the struggling beginner—feels the pulse of the music.

Beyond the sheet music, Whitman is a fierce advocate for the arts as a fundamental pillar of development. He has been instrumental in securing resources for local band and orchestra programs, ensuring that Lincoln’s youth have access to high-quality instruments and performance opportunities. His legacy isn’t just found in the awards lining the trophy cases of his schools, but in the generations of Lincolnites who carry a lifelong love of rhythm and harmony into their adult lives.

Sponsored by Allo Fiber

Amber C. Nore is the founder and curator of Magnolia Art Project, a boutique arts initiative dedicated to connecting artists with opportunities through exhibition curation, installation, artist management, and creative community building. Over the past five years, she has curated and installed exhibitions featuring more than 50 Nebraska artists, creating opportunities for emerging and established creatives to share their work in galleries, coffee shops, performance spaces, and community venues throughout Nebraska and beyond.

Known for her thoughtful, story-driven approach to curation, Amber has collaborated with galleries and organizations across the country and internationally while transforming her loft at The Burkholder Project in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket into a vibrant gathering place for artists through open houses, creative salons, and community-centered exhibitions. Her work is rooted in the belief that art is most powerful when it creates connection, belonging, and conversation.

Beyond Magnolia Art Project, Amber is an active advocate for Lincoln’s creative community. She volunteers with TADA Theatre and the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, writes theater reviews for the blog Appearing Locally, serves as an Arts Mentor & Ambassador with ECHO Collective (supporting refugee and immigrant artists), and performs as a vocalist with the rock band Andy Pappas & the Jukebox Gyro. 

Sponsored by Legacy Retirement Communities

Juan Rodriguez is the Founder and Executive Director of Proyecto Cultural, a cornerstone of the Latino community in Lincoln, Nebraska. Driven by a deep-seated desire to preserve his Mexican heritage and provide a sense of belonging for his family and the broader community, Juan co-founded the organization in 2002 alongside his wife, Dana Rodriguez.

Under his visionary leadership, what began as a modest group of seven dancers—Grupo Folklórico Sangre Azteca—has flourished into a vibrant cultural youth center serving over 200 performers. Juan has been instrumental in transforming Proyecto Cultural into a “creative sanctuary,” particularly after securing a permanent facility in 2009. His work bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, offering a safe space where youth can explore their identity through the rhythmic storytelling of Folklórico dance and visual arts. A passionate advocate for cultural expression, Juan remains dedicated to empowering the next generation by weaving a rich tapestry of history, music, and community spirit in the heart of Lincoln.

Sponsored by Shive Hattery

Lindy Clausen, a former public-school art and classroom teacher, became Education Coordinator at the International Quilt Museum in 2023, bringing a deep commitment to creativity, inclusion, and community. She designs welcoming programs — First Friday projects, workshops, camps, and Sewing Saturdays — where children and families create and connect. She also coordinates annual cultural celebrations such as Lunar New Year, Juneteenth, Día de Los Muertos, and an International Textile Show-and-Tell during Lincoln Welcoming Week.

When budget cuts limit school field trips, Lindy brings the museum directly to students, teaching quilting through classroom collaboration and after-school clubs. She works with young high school parents to create a baby quilt for their child, and builds partnerships with organizations across Lincoln to extend the museum’s reach into the broader community.

Through her thoughtful leadership, Lindy is broadening the museum’s reach, fostering cultural understanding, and creating meaningful opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect through textile art.

Sponsored by Donna Dahlsten

Lincoln Fashion Weekend is the premier celebration of style and artistry in the heart of the Midwest. More than just a clothing showcase, this high-energy event transforms the local creative scene into a professional runway experience, spotlighting the talent of regional designers, models, and stylists. Hosted at sophisticated venues like Venue 5 Twenty-Two, the weekend is anchored by a flagship runway show that blends high fashion with an immersive, communal atmosphere.

Attendees are treated to a full-sensory experience, beginning with a glamorous red-carpet arrival and continuing into a night filled with curated music, immersive photo ops, and high-octane fashion. Whether you’re a VIP enjoying exclusive lounge access and hosted hors d’oeuvres or a general admission guest in the “style capital” zone, the energy is electric.

Sponsored by BVH Architecture

Urban Legends Art Studio is owned and run by Anna Alcalde, Kay Glenn, and Connie Haeffner. Their mission is to foster creativity, build community, and give back. ULAS encourages artists of all skill levels to explore their inner creativity & individuality through a wide range of hands-on activities, from ceramics and door art to resin jewelry and macrame.

Urban Legends inspires and connects people by providing a welcoming environment for public and private art parties and workshops. They have received many awards for our teaching strategies and for the healing success of creativity. ULAS is deeply committed to community outreach. They work off-site with senior facilities, CLC schools, Autism Family Network, and many nonprofits to bring adaptive art programs to individuals with disabilities and other needs. Contact us for more info if you’re interested in our creative workshops or SmART talks.

Sponsored by Clark & Enersen

The Promenade at Pioneers reimagines a community garden site as an opportunity for first-time and mixed-income homeownership. The innovative development features twelve beautifully designed and constructed rowhomes at the foot of the Union College district. The project leverages various gap sources, including the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and tax-increment financing to deliver five (40%) of the units to households earning less than 65% of Area Median Income. The affordability of these specific units will be permanently protected by a community land trust that will ensure any future resales are to buyers with similar incomes.

The Music Box (MBX) is a new 1,200 square foot downtown Lincoln music development venue featuring a state-of-the-art stage, LED video/light wall, and professional-level recording studio, designed as a low-barrier space for local musicians and artists to rehearse, record, and perform. Opened in April 2025 at 1330 N Street as the first major project of Lincoln’s Music District initiative, it also offers education and artist development programs through the MBX Academy and artist development program to help cultivate and support the local music community.