What happened last year? …..Presenting the 2022 ARTY AWARD HONOREES

Please find a brief bio of each of the 2022 Arty Awards honorees below. In order to make this event a success each and every year, we rely on your nominations and involvement, so please submit a nomination for the 2023 Arty Awards today!

Liz Stratton Arts Champion: Topeka Community Foundation
The Topeka Community Foundation is being honored for their commitment to supporting the arts in Topeka. Through this commitment, they have demonstrated a deep understanding of how investing in the arts can create long-term community change across all sectors.

Community Arts: Preston Walker
Preston is being honored for his unwavering and persistent dedication to creating opportunities for artists and audiences in a variety of venues - outdoor community events, virtual productions and Black Chamber, the DIY venue he operates.

Literary Arts: Louise Krug
Louise is being honored for her work as a writer, teacher and her work in the community to utilize the written word as a tool for healing. Her work is full of heart and is an important addition to the conversation about individuals with disabilities.

Glenda Taylor Visual Arts: Jake Jackson
Jake is being honored for his exceptional abilities as a special effects makeup artist, commitment to including local actors in internationally-recognized films and helping to put Topeka on the map as a place that makes space for visual artists working in all disciplines.

Performing Arts: Steven Massey
Steven is being honored for his work as a teacher, mentor, community leader and owner of It Takes A Village, Inc. He creates opportunities through the performing arts by providing programs and performance opportunities that would otherwise not exist in Topeka.

People's Choice: 785 Arts
785 Arts is an authentic Native American art gallery that features authentic contemporary Indigenous art in addition to local art. 785 Arts offers classes as well as school presentations for all ages in traditional Cherokee doublewall basketry, Cornhusk people, and Cherokee language.

2021 ARTY AWARD HONOREES

Liz Stratton Arts Champion Award: Kyler Carpenter

Kyler Carpenter is a household name for parents and grandparents all across Topeka. He has spent years sharing his love of music with young people in Topeka. Whether he’s singing and dancing in classes at the library or hosting the weekly “Kid’s Jam” in the summer, Kyler’s hard work, dedication and belief in the power of the arts to change lives has helped to build young talent, encouraging performance, passion for music and self-confidence.

Community Arts Award: Topeka High School

Topeka High School, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the school this year, has played a tremendous role in the arts community of Topeka by offering students world-class experiences in all artistic disciplines. For almost 50 years (1930-1979), the Topeka Art Guild called THS home and this legacy continues to this day with current students displaying their work in the 3rd floor gallery. Thousands of students have taken the stage in beautiful Hoehner Auditorium as actors, singers, poets and musicians. The building itself is a nationally recognized architectural gem – filled with a significant collection of WPA-funded works of art by David Overmyer and Birger Sandzen as well as contemporary murals by artists Mark Flickinger and Alessandra Chavez. This legacy sets the stage for today’s students to be inspired and encouraged – reaping the immense benefits that come from meaningful arts education and experience. Student artists of all disciplines join the ranks of regionally and internationally recognized artists in all disciplines that have come before them.

Literary Arts Award: Speak Easy Poets

Speak Easy Poets is a literary collective that has fostered the creation of new works of poetry and spoken word in Topeka for more than nine years. Organized by poets Annette Billings and Sue Edgerton, their monthly open mic nights have been a haven for writers and poets from all walks of life and all levels of experience, creating an important support network for creatives in Topeka.

Performing Arts Award: The Topeka Cello Collective

The Topeka Cello Collective is a very special Topeka treasure. The group is a community of student cello players under the direction of Erinn Renyer that play cello ensemble music, learn more about performance technique, musicality and have opportunities to perform at community concerts and events. They have gained a reputation for their fantastic non-traditional performances – but part of the real magic is the fact that they offer a non-competitive environment where students can learn and perform both classical and contemporary music and "share the cello love."

Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award: Robert Tapley Bustamante

Robert is a nationally recognized artist who is known for his work on community murals all across Topeka – most recently painting a mural with student artists at the Boys & Girls Club and assisting with addressing hateful vandalism in Santa Fe Park over the summer. You’ll frequently find Robert painting live and sharing his illustrative vibrant style with all of our community. A Topeka native and Topeka High School graduate, Robert has participated in more than 80 art exhibitions and has been painting since 1996.

People’s Choice Award: Round Table Bookstore

Round Table Bookstore is located in the NOTO Arts District and offers a welcoming space where you can find titles by national, regional and local authors. Not only can you buy any book title you’d like, they offer recommendations and readings as well as a great spot to grab a coffee or bite to eat.