Winners Announced for 45th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards
The Lincoln Arts Council (LAC) announced today the individuals and organizations to be honored at the 45th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards the evening of Thursday, October 26 at the Lincoln Commercial Club, 200 N 11 Street, Suite 300. The event is open to the public and includes a reception with an artistic hors d’oeuvres buffet at 6 p.m. and the awards presentation at 7 p.m.
This year’s theme, “In Bloom,” is intended to highlight the blossoming creativity of Lincoln’s art community, illuminating the vibrant colors and textures that artists add to our city’s cultural landscape–as depicted in 2023 Mayor's Arts Award recipient Katharen Wiese's event artwork. Each award winner will receive an original art piece designed by ceramicist and recipient of the 2023 Lincoln Arts Festival Mayor’s Choice Award, Adria Chilcote. Helping to present the awards is returning emcee DeWayne Taylor, a teaching artist, beat boxer and Red 94.5 host.
Art Auction
Recent Lincoln Arts Festival Emerging Artists are creating original works to display at the event as part of our online art auction to raise funds for arts programming in Lincoln. Bidding for the auction will commence several weeks prior to the awards ceremony through the online auction platform, Bidding Owl, and be additionally promoted during the main event.
2023 Mayor’s Arts Awards Recipients
The 45th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards honorees are as follows:
Mayor’s Choice Award: Daniel Martinez (Sponsored by Doug & Mary Campbell)
Artistic Achievement Award - Literary Arts: Dr. Kwame Dawes (Sponsored by Commercial Investment Properties)
Artistic Achievement Award - Performing Arts: Edward Polochick (Sponsored by US Property & Grand Manse)
Artistic Achievement Award - Visual Arts: Katharen Wiese (Sponsorship opportunity available)
Artistic Arts Award - Youth: Nicholas Li (Sponsored by Filament Essential Services)
ArtScene Backstage Award: Mary Schwaner (Sponsorship opportunity available)
Benefactor of the Arts Award: Jim & Margaret (posthumously) Griesen (Sponsored by Larry Small)
Gladys Lux Education Award: Clark Potter (Sponsored by Cline Williams)
Heart of the Arts Award: Karen Shoemaker and Larksong Writers’ Place (Sponsored by Allo Fiber)
Legacy of the Arts Award: The Zoo Bar (Sponsored by Legacy Retirement Communities)
Lincoln Community Foundation Arts for Everyone Award: Rebecca Reinhardt (Sponsorship opportunity available)
Outstanding Arts Event Award: Abendmusik at First-Plymouth (Sponsored by Marc & Kathy LeBaron)
Outstanding Arts Organization Award: Live Yes Studios (Sponsorship opportunity available)
Larry Enersen Urban Design Award: Recipient to be named (Sponsored by Clark & Enersen)
Tickets for the event are $90 and are available from LAC at 402-434-2787 or artscene.org. The reservation deadline is Friday, October 20.
See full announcement release here.
See 1011 News feature on winners here.
