For Kids
The arts provide more than aesthetics, they build community, give meaning to our lives, open our hearts to new perspectives, and deepen our understanding of the world. The 2019 Spokane Arts Awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of artists, cultural organizations and local individuals committed to enriching our community through the arts.
The four award categories reflect the values of Spokane Arts: Leadership, Collaboration, Imagination, and Inclusion. Each of the nominations were submitted by community members during an open call, and they each wrote a short letter about why they felt this person best embodied the qualities of each category. Thank you to those who took the time to nominate those whose work they respect and admire.
The awards were a special, one-of-a kind art piece, forged by Columbia Fire & Iron. This year’s judges for the awards included Melissa Cole, Kate Reed, Garret Daggett, Alan Chatham, and Derrick Oliver.
Meet the Nominees
Leadership
Positive and consistent advocacy, a role model for others in the arts, a venture culturalist, excellent stewardship of resources.
Inclusion
Enacting just and diverse community, building bridges across divides, proactive approach to accessibility and inclusion.
Imagination
Energizing and inspiring presence, jaw-dropping creativity, sky’s-the-limit approach, excellent execution of innovative ideas.
Collaboration
Creating and supporting partnerships, sharing resources, finding shared solutions, working with others to produce or create meaningful work arising out of a shared goal.
And the Winners Are...
Leadership: Queer Art Walk
The organizers of the Queer Art Walk worked with various Spokane arts organizations, businesses, city council, libraries, galleries, cafes, artists, non profits, schools and universities to create the first ever citywide Queer Art Walk in Washington State. Nine venues and over 40 artists were showcased in the first year, featuring paintings, spoken word, textiles, dance, drag, ceramics, and a DJ.
Photo of organizers Eva Silverstone, Andrew Whitver, and Tiffany Patterson by Dean Davis Photography. Not pictured: organizers Jewels Dietrich, Danni Dietrich.
Inclusion: Fem+Fest
Fem+Fest is Spokane’s feminist art festival, presented by Spokane NOW. Their vision to present visual arts, spoken word, live music and other entertainment that highlights empowering and diverse representations of feminism in the Inland Northwest, and speaks to the importance of intersectionality as the new feminist paradigm.
Photo of organizers Maureen Smith and Kelly Matthews by Dean Davis Photography. Not pictured: organizer Annette Farrell.
Imagination: Reinaldo Gil Zambrano
Reinaldo is the energy behind Print Fest where artists and community members had opportunities to view different print techniques, watch demos and take workshops. You might be familiar with his work printing with a steamroller, his mural at EWU, classes at Spokane Print and Publishing Center and EWU, or his exhibits at the Saranac Gallery.
Photo of Reinaldo Gil Zambrano by Dean Davis Photography.
Collaboration: Jenny Ann Mannan
Jenny Anne Mannan is a multi-instrumentalist musician, playing fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. She is also a critically-acclaimed songwriter whose songs have been recorded by other artists, and she just released her second album. For the last several years, she’s led the monthly Northwest of Nashville music showcase at the Bartlett, involving a different cast of musicians each month covering a wide range of ages, backgrounds and musical upbringings. Each month Jenny Anne plays with every single band and artist.
Photo of Jenny Anne Mannan by Dean Davis Photography.