27 Sep 2017 Noblesville Creates Award Winners
Noblesville Creates Raises $8,222 and Awards Arts Luminaries During Fifth Anniversary Celebration
NOBLESVILLE — The numbers are in and winners have been feted. During a fifth anniversary fundraising celebration on September 16, 2017, Noblesville Creates presented its second annual Noblesville Creates Awards to six people who exemplify local leadership in the arts. Artists, art, live music and live theater presented the backdrop for the evening.
A sell-out crowd of 137 attendees filled seats under a tent situated on the street along Noblesville Creates’ main campus in “hipstoric” downtown Noblesville to champion the arts. In all, $8,222 was raised to support the nonprofit Noblesville Creates organization.
“We interact with incredible people every day who work very hard to keep creativity thriving in and shaping the Nickel Plate Region. Nineteen accomplished nominees’ names were submitted for consideration, and our winners are an outstanding group. We are honored to share their stories and call them neighbors,” said Aili McGill, director of Noblesville Creates.
Noblesville Creates Awards winners must live or work in the Nickel Plate Region (Noblesville, Fishers, Cicero, Arcadia, Atlanta and Tipton) or have made a major, positive impact on the local arts community. The winners in five categories are:
Christine Merchent at right
Artist of the Year (Tie Vote)
The selection committee was deadlocked and finally narrowed it to two people These two winners happen to be the top two sellers of all time at Noblesville Creates. Each of their showcase exhibits set records for the number and dollar-value of sales.
Winner Christine Merchent is a fine artist known for her large-scale portraits of ballerinas and golfers. Her nominator writes, “Christine has become a valuable artist in our community not only through her artwork, but in her commitment to the community.”
Rodney Reveal
Winner Rodney Reveal is a watercolor and oil painter born and raised in Noblesville. Reveal is a well-known figure in our community and region, having won awards at the local and national levels for his wildlife, small-town scenes, landscapes and transportation subjects.
John Gilmore
Arts Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner John Gilmore is the founder of grassroots entertainment venue Logan Street Sanctuary and guitarist for the Noblesville-based Noble Roots band. Logan Street Sanctuary books a range of musical acts and strives to promote a greater awareness of and encouragement for creative arts in Hamilton County and beyond. The nonprofit organization provides music, literature and arts education, and encourages the entire community to create a variety of arts media.
Noah Laramore
Emerging Artist of the Year
Winner Noah Laramore is a Fishers resident and University High School student who spearheaded designs for the public art crosswalks at Ninth and Maple streets in Noblesville
Legacy Fund recipient
Patron of the Year
Winner The Legacy Fund enables Hamilton County residents to create a living legacy through philanthropy. Legacy Fund is the community foundation of Hamilton County. Legacy Fund was formed from the assets of Carmel-Clay Community Foundation and Hamilton County Parks Foundation, which were receiving donations primarily in the form of bequests—gifts made at the time of one’s death. With the establishment of Legacy Fund, local philanthropists would have greater opportunity to make an impact during their lifetimes.
Emerging Arts Champion of the Year
Winner Brittany Mayfield is a generous contributor to Noblesville Creates, bringing a level of excitement to support Noblesville Creates in support of her community.
