Each year, the Arts Council honors individuals, foundations and businesses that have made significant contributions to the arts in the Wichita area. The 2013 recipients are:
Chris Shank — Gordon W. Evans Award given to a patron demonstrating outstanding leadership and special support for the arts.
Joan Cole – Arts Advocate/Individual given to an individual dedicated to furthering the cause of the arts in general through promotional, volunteer, administrative, legislative and professional efforts.
St. James Episcopal Church – Arts Advocate/Group given to an organization dedicated to furthering the cause of an art form specifically through its Guild Hall Players, its After-School Program featuring an arts-based curriculum, its annual Art a la Carte, and its three choirs.
Bluebird Arthouse – Business Award given to a business providing broad-based and continued support of the arts through its operation.
Exploration Place – Special Project Award given for its Star Wars Exhibit.
Aimee Geist – Arts Educator Award given to an individual who has devoted a career to instruction in the arts in an educational environment (the Ulrich at WSU).
Babs Mellor – Special Recognition/Individual Award given for outstanding contributions to the arts through her vast body of work and her instruction in sculpture spanning 40 years.
Theatre League – Special Recognition/Organization Award given for the important economic impact of the presentation of “The Lion King.”
Julianne McLean – Burton Pell Award given to an outstanding individual in music.
Friends of WAM – Arts Organization Award given to a public, not-for profit organization that provides arts opportunities to the Wichita community and region.
Curt Clonts – Individual Artist Award given to an artist actively working in one of the arts who has shown outstanding achievement.
Daniel Debolt – Youth Recognition Award given to a high school or middle school student who has shown outstanding achievement and development in the arts.
MKEC Engineering Consultants, Inc. – Chris Cherches Award given for outstanding work on a public works project. This award is presented for the Lincoln Street Bridge and Dam project.
The art awards will be presented at a gala banquet on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Drury Plaza Broadview Hotel Grand Ballroom, 400 W. Douglas. A reception and dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with the awards program beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $50 each or $450 for a table of 10. Seating is open with the exception of the reserved tables. Tickets may be ordered through Nov. 4 at www.wichitatix.com or by calling 316-219-4849.