23 Sep Noblesville Creates Honors Five Creative Leaders Making an Impact in Hamilton County
2026 Noblesville Creates Awards recognize artists, entrepreneurs, advocates and community partners
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Five artists, entrepreneurs, advocates and community partners are receiveing the 2026 Noblesville Creates Awards, continuing the organization’s tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations whose work strengthens the arts and creative community throughout Hamilton County.
This year’s honorees are Rivet Coffee, Arts Partner of the Year; David Fleshman, Arts Entrepreneur of the Year; Frances Ruiz, Arts Advocate of the Year; Philip Ramilo, Emerging Artist of the Year; and Heather Ray Boelke, Artist of the Year.
The awards were presented during Creative Economy Pitch Night on Tuesday, September 22, at Conner Prairie, bringing the recognition into an evening dedicated to demonstrating the role creativity can play in Indiana’s economic and community development.
Celebrating the People Who Build a Creative Community
A thriving creative economy requires more than artists alone. It needs businesses willing to champion creative people, entrepreneurs committed to building sustainable practices, advocates who create opportunities for others, emerging talent finding its place in the community and established artists demonstrating what a creative career can become.
The 2026 Noblesville Creates Awards celebrate that entire ecosystem.
Rivet Coffee — Arts Partner of the Year
Rivet Coffee is recognized for the many ways it has supported and promoted artists, demonstrating how a local business can become an active partner in strengthening its surrounding creative community.
David Fleshman — Arts Entrepreneur of the Year
Fleshman is recognized for the hard work and entrepreneurial commitment he has demonstrated through his participation in events and exhibitions, consistently putting his creative work in front of audiences and building opportunities for his practice to grow.
Frances Ruiz — Arts Advocate of the Year
Ruiz is recognized for her incredible work with WEPArt Colectivo, using advocacy and community-building to create greater visibility and opportunities for artists.
Philip Ramilo — Emerging Artist of the Year
Ramilo is recognized for his growing success participating in exhibitions and events throughout Hamilton County, establishing himself as an emerging creative voice within the region’s arts community.
Heather Ray Boelke — Artist of the Year
Boelke is recognized for the work she has done to build and expand her art business throughout Noblesville, Westfield and beyond, demonstrating both artistic commitment and the entrepreneurial drive required to sustain and grow a creative practice.
“A strong creative community doesn’t happen because of one person or one kind of contribution,” said Ailithir McGill, Executive Director of Noblesville Creates. “It grows because artists, businesses, advocates, entrepreneurs and community members each choose to participate. These awards give us an opportunity to recognize people who aren’t simply part of our creative community—they’re helping build it.”
Honoring Impact While Investing in What Comes Next
Presenting the Noblesville Creates Awards during Creative Economy Pitch Night creates an intentional connection between recognition and possibility.
During Pitch Night, eight creative entrepreneurs will present ideas demonstrating how art, design, performance, placemaking and creative enterprise can contribute to Indiana’s future. A panel of leaders representing tourism, development, banking and industry will evaluate their proposals, while audience members will have opportunities to engage with the ideas and people behind them.
The Noblesville Creates Awards turn the spotlight toward people already demonstrating that potential through their work.
One part of the evening asks, “What could creativity do?”
The other celebrates people already answering that question.
Together, they reflect the larger ambition behind Creative Economy Pitch Night: to create a space where artists, entrepreneurs, businesses, civic leaders and community supporters can recognize what has already been accomplished while forming the relationships that can help build what comes next.
