2021 Artist of the Year Awards
September 19 - September 19,2021
To register for this online event, go here.
"The Art Spark Texas 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.
The selected winners will be honored at the annual awards ceremony hosted by Art Spark Texas on Sunday, September 19, 2021. The event will be held 1:00 to 3:30 PM CDT, and is free to attend. This will be a live streaming virtual event. RSVPs are requested. All ages are welcome.
2021 Award Recipients:
Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year ∙ Joan Lawson
SPARK Award ∙ Ryan Schmidt
Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award ∙ Miguel Hernandez (DJ MIK ONE)
Mobile Art Award ∙ Gary Bachers
Director’s Commendation ∙ Maria R. Pérez
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 in society through the arts. This award is being presented to Austin artist Joan Lawson, co-founder of the Creative Arts Society in Austin, Texas.
The 2021 SPARK Award is given to an artist with a disability who embodies the spirit and purpose of Art Spark Texas. Pflugerville musician Ryan Schmidt challenges perceptions of how people contribute through his advocate spirit on display in his imaginative and engaging music videos.
The 2021 Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award is given to an artist 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. Through his volunteer DJ work, Houston artist Miguel Hernandez, (DJ MIK ONE) emboldens and demonstrates this passion every day.
The 2021 Mobile Art Award is given to an artist age 65 or older who exemplifies the creative aging philosophy that engagement in the arts improves emotional well-being, supports good health, strengthens social bonds, and brings a heightened experience of purpose and joy. New Boston visual artist Gary Bachers brings to each day a renewed sense of purpose through his ever-evolving 'picture conversations.’
The 2021 Director’s Commendation is given to an artist with a disability who, through advocacy and art, represents the inclusive world that Art Spark Texas works to create every day. El Paso artist Maria R. Pérez is a founding member of The Tornillo Collective whose purpose is to promote education and awareness about youth in detention centers across Texas using drama, poetry and art.
Additional biographical information for the 2021 awardees and previous year winners are listed on our website https://www.artsparktx.org.
Art Spark Texas Announces 2021 Artist of the Year Awards Presentation Ceremony Sunday, September 19, 2021 1pm - 3:30pm CDT Live streaming virtual event
ABOUT ART SPARK TEXAS
Art Spark Texas is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that operates at the intersection of arts, education, and disability. We believe that arts experiences enhance the skills, confidence, and quality of life for all people, especially for people with disabilities. We support this by offering programs that enable educational achievement and career success, events that feature the work of diverse artists, and specialized arts training for artists, educators and service providers."
