Reception: 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. featuring complimentary wine from Spencer Farm Winery and live art demonstrations and music, a Whiskey Pull and a Raffle!

Dinner and Program: 6:15 – 9 p.m. featuring dinner by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, a fashion show by MELI, a Live Auction, Fund-a-Need, big announcements, and the Noblesville Creates Awards Ceremony

Silent and Live Auctions Featuring: Fashion Jewelry by Smith’s Jewelers, hotel packages courtesy of Hamilton County Tourism, exclusive art experiences and classes by local artists, original art, and much more!

Indiana Gaming License #015150

10-Top tables are available for $1250

A company or individual who sponsors a 10-top table will receive:
Special recognition during the evening’s programming
A special gift for each person who sits at your table
A 10% off coupon for NobleMade for each person who sits at your table

8-top tables are available for $1000

A company or individual who sponsors a 8-top table will receive:
Special recognition during the evening’s programming
5% off coupon for NobleMade for each person who sits at your table

Catering Provided by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering 

Hors D’Oeuvres
Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Mini Grilled Shrimp Tostada with Avocado and Chipotle
Mini Lamb Meatballs with Creamy Tzatziki

Salad
Fall Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pistachio Pesto and Spiced Nuts

Entrée
Airline chicken Breast with Caramilized Pears, Farro Rissotto with Tuscan Kale
VEGAN/GF OPTION: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice and Soffritto

Dessert
Bete Noir Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Coulis
Dairy-free option available

**Vegan/Vegetarian/Dairy-Free options must be reserved in advance. Other dietary restrictions can also be accommodated with at least 10-days advanced notice.

The Silent Auction will be available at the start of the evening, with packages featuring rounds of golf from Plum Creek, gift certificates for a downtown Noblesville date night, and more!

Bids can be made on your phone once you’re checked in for the evening and will end at 8:45 p.m.

Faster Giving will facilitate the Live Auction portion of the Gala, which will include a table at next year’s Gala.

Be sure to keep an ear out for our Fund-A-Need, where we’ll announce the launch of an exciting new project!

Artist of the Year
Simona Buna

Arts Entrepreneur of the Year
Sweet Tunes

Artist Advocate of the Year
Esperanza Alonzo

Arts Partner of the Year
The Ignite Studio

Arts Patron of the Year:
Douglas Church

Artist of the Year
Penny Roberson
Peg Adams
Simona Buna
Caroline Hays
Steve Sickles

Arts Entrepreneur of the Year
Koda Witsken
Sweet Tunes
Emily Winkel
Erik Lundorf

Artist Advocate of the Year
Ian Hauer
Vernon Williams
John Hinton
Esperanza Alonzo

Arts Partner of the Year
Gabby Blauert, Hamilton County Tourism
Nathan Compton & Tim Palmer, Primeval Brewing
Jessica Layman, Hamilton County Bicentennial
The Ignite Studio
Yolanda Kincaid

Arts Patron of the Year:
Susan Dickey
Katie & Chris Nurnberger
Jack & Chris Martin
Douglas Church

Artist of the Year
Shaunt’e Lewis

Emerging Artist of the Year
Critt Hunter

Arts Patron of the Year
Moonshot Games

Arts Champion of the Year
Cheryl Bowlin of Janus Developmental Services

Cultural Venture of the Year
Kelly McVey & Indiana Peony Festival

Artist of the Year
Roseanne Crowell
Beth A Forst
Shaunt’e Lewis
Eric Salazar
Jalynn Simmons

Emerging Artist of the Year
Critt Hunter
Maroline Ritter
Jenny Spires

Arts Patron of the Year
Daniel Drexler and the Indiana Small Business Development Center
Moonshot Games
Jennifer Roberts

Arts Champion of the Year
Cheryl Bowlin of Janus Developmental Services
Christy Brocken of Hamilton County Parks
Barb Conlin of Gal’s Guide Library
Marissa Deckert of Fishers Parks
Emilia Seabourne
Virginia Tate

Cultural Venture of the Year
Bryan Glover & Robert’s Settlement Juneteenth Activities
James Holbrook & Poet Ape Production’s “Our Town”
Kelly McVey & Indiana Peony Festival
Eric Sablan & The Brick Room
Lindsey Zehren

The nominees for the 2021 Noblesville Creates Awards are as follows:

EMERGING ARTS CHAMPION:

David Decker, championed the new makerspace in Hub & Spoke

Ross Hilleary, advocated for the FA + CC grant program 

Jason Pearson, spearheaded 2021’s inaugural Front Porch Music Festival 

EMERGING ARTISTS:

Frederick Durham, innovative photographer and showcase artist 

Daniel Grose, vibrant aerial and traditional photography of the Hamilton County area

Grace Gross, rain barrel contest winner for Lights Over Morse

Teresa Wesley, emerging entrepreneur who creates crochet Amigurumi animals and bracelets

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Jessica Hancock, fine art, illustration, and design

Dan Howell, clay work

Jeannie Logan & Marc Feeney, creators of the Cabin Fever Cabaret

Walt Thacker, paintings including the White River canoe project and Carmel water barrels 

ARTS PATRON OF THE YEAR:

Karen Huff, regular supporter of local artists and their works

Steve Sanner, founder of the Jiffy Lube Mural Project

Thompson Thrift, supporter of local murals, art projects, and musicians, include Live Listening on the Yard 

ARTS EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR:

Michelle Feeney, connected arts students to at-home art kits during the pandemic and to the ‘Tar City’

Erin Goodman, connected arts students to the Cicero mural and White River Canoe project

ARTS LEADERS OF THE YEAR: 

Leah Leach, founder of Gals Guide Library, the only women’s history lending library in the US

Jennie Otterman, local esteemed theatre director, including this year’s Shakespeare in the Park in Noblesville

Tom Rich, President of the Fishers Art Council 

Celeste Williams, important journalistic voice and leader of Indiana Writers Center

Emerging Artist of the Year: Indy Gorgeous Club

Artist of the Year: Korie Pickett

Arts Educator of the Year Nominees: Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi

Emerging Arts Patron of the Year Nominees: Dick Gordon 

Arts Patron of the Year Nominees: Meyer Najem 

SPECIAL: Lifetime Achievement Award: Sue Payne

Honorable Mentions:

These are additional groups and individuals who made great achievements in the arts in the past year:

Artists:

• Lesley Haflich – for inspiring others
• Koda Witsken – for public art projects
• Krista Darrow – for enthusiasm & dedication
• Ava Turner – Emerging Artist 

Public Art Projects:

• Riverview Hospital for the Infusion Center Sculptures
• Thompson Thrift for Fishers District Murals
• City of Noblesville for North Alley Activation

Inspiring Leadership:

• Hamilton County Tourism for enduring through great hardships and continuing to champion the arts

Emerging Artist of the Year Nominees:

• Indy Gorgeous Club
• Skylar P. Letsinger
• Mia Morales 
• Melissa Bruhn 

Artist of the Year Nominees:

• Macey Dickerson
• Heather Garrison 
• Korie Pickett
• Sarah E. Morin
• Craig Ogden
• Keegan Loye 

Arts Educator of the Year Nominees:

• Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi
• Bethany Robinson
• Shelley Feeney
• Sue Payne
• Wendy Meyer 

Emerging Arts Patron of the Year Nominees:

• Les Reinhardt
• Flexware Innovation
• Dick Gordon 
• Hub & Spoke

Arts Patron of the Year Nominees:

• Jim Longfellow
• Steve Sanner (Jiffy Lube of Indiana)
• Meyer Najem 
• Four Day Ray

Honorable Mentions:

These are additional groups and individuals who made great achievements in the arts in the past year:

Artists:

• Lesley Haflich – for inspiring others
• Koda Witsken – for public art projects
• Krista Darrow – for enthusiasm & dedication
• Ava Turner – Emerging Artist 

Public Art Projects:

• Riverview Hospital for the Infusion Center Sculptures
• Thompson Thrift for Fishers District Murals
• City of Noblesville for North Alley Activation

Inspiring Leadership:

• Hamilton County Tourism for enduring through great hardships and continuing to champion the arts

Emerging Artist of the Year Nominees:

• Robert Adams IV
• Krista Darrow
• Gloria Merrell

Artist of the Year Nominees:

• Geoff Davis
• Michael Janosky
• Leslie Ober
• Kerry Ruschhaupt

Arts Educator of the Year Nominees:

• Conner Prairie
• Ed Gedeon
• Deanna Leonard- Caravan Classes
• Sue Payne- Conner Prairie and HCAA

Arts Champion of the Year Nominees:

• Fishers Arts Council
• Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy
• Jill Lehman
• Bonnie Ramirez
• Brian Short
• Meredith Ziegenhagel

Public Art Project of the Year Nominees:

• Boaz Construction: for its Meadows Design complex, a renovation of the Roberts Dairy building on the north side of Indianapolis, which includes affordable studio space for artists.
• Intuitive Health & Riverview Health– for their $25,000 sculpture at their new site in 106^th in Fishers (completion date October, 2019)
• Noble Coffee & Tea– for its indoor bird mini-murals (completed May, 2019)– not only do they fuel many local creatives, but they invested in whimsical mini-murals throughout their store that delight and inspire customers and tell a great story!
• Riverview Health– for its $35,000 sculpture (completion date projected for November, 2019)
• Thompson Thrift– for its $40,000 mural project in the Fishers District (completion date: Fall 2019 or Spring 2020)

2018 AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year: Carol Griffith

Emerging Artist of the Year: Gavin Cooley

Arts Educator of the Year: Jamie Follis

Emerging Art Champion of the Year: The City of Fishers

Patron of the Year: Noblesville’s Downtown District Committee

The nominations are in!  To find out about this year’s nominees, please click here.

2017 AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year: Christine Merchent and J. Rodney Reveal

Emerging Artist of the Year: Noah Laramore

Emerging Arts Champion of the Year: John Gilmore

Patron of the Year: The Legacy Fund

Christine Merchent

J. Rodney Reveal

Noah Laramore

John Gilmore

Legacy Fund

The nominations are in!  To find out about this year’s 19 nominees, please click here.

2016 AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year: Lesley Haflich

Emerging Artist of the Year: Kat Ho

Emerging Patron of the Year: Alaina Shonkwiler

Patron of the Year: the Noblesville Parks Foundation

Read more about the WINNERS HERE!

Noblesville Creates launched the Noblesville Creates Awards in 2016 as a way to celebrate local leadership in the arts.  We interact with incredible people every day who are working so very hard to keep creativity thriving in the Noblesville Creates region, and we want to share their stories and success with everyone.

During our inaugural call for nominations in August, the names of 22 different local arts leaders across our four categories were submitted by their peers, friends, patrons and coworkers.  We wanted to share a little bit of information about these arts leaders – they all have helped to build the reputation of the Noblesville Creates region and each deserves recognition.

Emerging Artist of the Year:

This award goes to a student in high school or college, or someone who has graduated from an arts program within the last two years who is striving to become a professional artist, musician or performer in the Noblesville Creates region. This young person demonstrates not only incredible artistic talent, but also, leadership, vision and business savvy. This person has outstanding potential to shape and influence the future of our arts community, as well as to achieve financial success in his or her artistic field. He or she has embraced the idea that you can, in fact, make a living in the arts, and he or she is boldly going forward with that goal, and spreading joy for art with all those he or she encounters.

The nominees are:

Paul Williams

Currently a student at the Art Institute of Chicago, Paul was the president of the National Art Honor Society of Noblesville High School during the 2015-16 school year.  He planned and implemented a spring break art camp experience at Noblesville Creates, which proved to be a transformative experience for both the students who attended the camp and the high school students who participated in it.

Hanna Sellers

Currently a student at Purdue University, Hanna is a graduate of Noblesville High School whose artistic talents have been prominently evident for many years.  Hanna earned money for college by playing her guitar and singing at public events around town.  Her remarkable voice made her a local favorite, but her drive to harness her artistic talents professionally at such a young age indicates that she has the potential to shape the artistic community in our region for years to come.

Alyson Houdyschell

Alyson was a member of the Noblesville High School internship program and worked at Noblesville Creates throughout the 2015-16 school year.  Alyson’s humility and sweet demeanor quickly endeared her to many of us here, and our respect for her only grew as we witnessed both her artistic and leadership abilities.  Alyson worked tirelessly to help us implement countless programs, and she volunteered her services on several weekends and evenings outside of her regular internship hours.  Alyson was also a member of the National Art Honor Society, and as she pursues her academic career at the Art Institute of Chicago, we feel confident that she will continue to prove her abilities as a leader in the arts.

Kat Ho

After graduating from the Herron School of Art and Design in 2015, Kat Ho immediately began to shape the artistic culture of Noblesville.  Kat is the Art Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville, and participates in activities with the ad hoc Noblesville Makers, Noblesville Creates and other local groups.  Her art style helps push the boundaries of what Noblesville art looks like, her personal journey is an inspiration both for her creative work and for those who know her, and her creativity and work ethic stand as fabulous examples for other up-and-coming arts professionals.

Emerging Arts Champion of the Year:

This award goes to someone who is starting out in his or her career, but who has already shown a dedication to supporting local arts and artists. This dedication may be demonstrated through volunteership, nurturing collaboration, social promotion of arts efforts or the purchasing of artwork. He or she has shown dedication to becoming a member of various arts organizations and to participating in arts programming and planning. This person exemplifies the notion that art is worth investing in, regardless of income or professional background. He or she shows outstanding dedication to nurturing creativity within the community, and has the potential to greatly shape our creative culture for years to come.

The nominees are:

Hannah Lindgren

At age 25, Hannah Lindgren already boasts an impressive resume of accomplishments.  She opened her own business – Deliberate Media – in 2013, she has provided hours of volunteer service to many local organizations, she produced a feature-length documentary that premiered this past June, and she has provided in-kind sponsorships valued well over $5,000 to several organizations, including Noblesville Creates.  Due to her close ties to our organization, Hannah is ineligible to win this year’s award, but because a community member nominated her, we wanted to acknowledge her accomplishment.

Alaina Shonkwiler

Charged with engaging the downtown core and the arts community for the City of Noblesville’s Economic Development department, Alaina Shonkwiler is one of the most visible champions of the arts in our region.  This year, she worked tirelessly to finish the Cultural Arts Blueprint, which outlines the city’s long-range plans for engaging and nurturing the arts. She also championed the proposal to designate a large portion of downtown Noblesville as a cultural arts district, and is in the process of applying for state recognition of the same district.  Serving on both the Noblesville Main Street and Hamilton County Tourism boards, Alaina’s leadership skills are evident on a daily basis.  The growing art collection in her office also underscores her passion for local art and compassion for local artists.

Rachael O’Dell

As the daughter of a musician and the wife and daughter-in-law of two local artists, art has always been central to Rachael’s life, but her interest in advocating for and supporting local artists extends far beyond her home.  After spending more than half a decade in unfulfilling corporate jobs, Rachael discovered that her true passion lies in helping artists network and increase their visibility.  Tech savvy and articulate, Rachael has been able to harness social media to get the word out about artists in Noblesville and Indianapolis.  She initiated the Noblesville Makers Meetup in 2015, an informal monthly gathering open to anyone with creative interests looking to collaborate with other artists on projects and promotion.  To quote the person who nominated her,  “Rachael’s heart has been only to uplift the arts community in the Nickel Plate Region by offering her strength in bringing people together with the belief that art and artists will become more established in the region when they come together in the support of one another.” Rachael accepted the position of Artist Liaison and Exhibit Coordinator at Noblesville Creates on August 16. Due to her current position, Rachael is not eligible to receive this award this year, but because a local community member nominated her, we wanted to recognize her achievements here.

Alys Caviness-Gober

Currently a board member at the Hamilton County Artists’ Association and the Logan Street Sanctuary, Alys Caviness-Gober is both an artist and a community advocate.   Unable to sit still while organizations she loves struggle to find funding and support, Alys has jumped in with both feet, taking on innumerable projects and responsibilities.  Alys loves this community and feels duty-bound to offer whatever skills, time and effort she can to seeing creative enterprises succeed.  Alys’s own creativity is evident in the arts and crafts she makes on a daily basis, and her attitude is infectious.  A dedicated social media enthusiast, Alys regularly cross-promotes for other artists, performers and arts organizations, and isn’t afraid to take a strong stance to keep things moving forward.

Marc Feeney

This year, Marc Feeney agreed to play a major role as the Fishers Arts Council restructured itself and set a new focus for the future.  Marc stepped up as the chair of the new artist committee, a position that requires delicate balancing of personalities, interests, ideas and goals.  Marc, along with other FAC board members, championed plans for the Fishers Arts Crawls and oversaw the implementation of some creative, hip new ways to engage Fishers citizens in arts efforts.  His congenial attitude has helped keep people engaged and inspired through the process of change, and his peers have appreciated his efforts.

Artist of The Year:     

This award will go to an artist, musician or performer living and working within the Noblesville Creates Region who has shown an outstanding ability to promote not only their own work, but also the artistic merits of the community at large. This award goes to someone who exemplifies the notion that a rising tide lifts all boats. This person has not only perfected their artistic technique, but also shows outstanding business acumen and customer service skills.

The nominees are:

John Gilmore

Musician, community advocate, and business owner John Gilmore has been a humble-yet-influential member of the Noblesville Arts community for decades.  His founding of the Logan Street Sanctuary brought a new, unique music venue within easy walking distance of our historic square, and his professional connections have allowed him to bring award-winning acts to our region.  John has renovated the Logan Street Sanctuary as a labor of love, and has kept the doors open in spite of financial pressures, infrastructural issues and even plumbing disasters.  John’s talent as a musician is well known by anyone who has encountered him playing at a local bar, restaurant or even here at Noblesville Creates during a First Friday. His band, Noble Roots, performs at venues throughout the Midwest.  Perhaps the most remarkable thing about John’s talent is his ability to project such a compelling presence on stage, when he is such a humble and shy person in real life.  His approachable, affable attitude is the perfect tool to bring people together, and his vision for a more vibrant, diverse and inspiring neighborhood is evident to all who walk through the doors of his Sanctuary.

John Reynolds

One need only glance at the many paintings piled up in John Reynolds’s studio to get a sense of his prolific talent as an oil painter.  John’s ability to capture the personality of his subjects – be it sheep, a rooster or even himself – has allowed him to also capture the notice of judges throughout the Midwest.  John regularly wins awards in fine art exhibitions, including the Hoosier Salon in previous years, and has been juried in to countless galleries and exhibitions, including this year’s Indiana Heritage Arts Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition.  John has also taught drawing and painting classes over the years and has provided a great deal of professional mentorship and guidance to many emerging artists.  John is one of the original Studio Artists at Noblesville Creates and a juried member of the Hamilton County Artists’ Association.  His dedication to staying involved with local arts efforts while succeeding in making a business of his art make him and inspiration to all artists in our region.

Emily Wasonga

An energetic and bubbly immigrant from Kenya, Emily Wasonga is a bastion of the Noblesville creative and business community.  She not only creates beautiful works of jewelry art that she sells at her shop Loves Hangover, but she also works hard to connect with and cross-promote other creative entrepreneurs.  She is happy to help support local events and projects, including the Noblesville High School Fashion Club’s first-ever fashion show this past May.  She regularly provides in-kind donations to local charities and works to find ways to donate her time and energy to help others succeed. Emily’s favorite phrase is “What can I do to help promote YOU?”

Lesley Haflich

With the opening of her new and improved studio space at Noblesville Creates in early 2016, Lelsey Haflich embarked on a professional renaissance that has taken her already-successful art career to new heights.  She has branched out into new genres and styles of painting, and has exhibited her work in several area businesses and community spaces throughout the Indy Metro area, including First Presbyterian Church and Meyer Najem Construction.  Lesley’s enthusiasm helped catalyze the installation of the Meyer Najem art gallery, which will be an important regional exhibition spot for years to come.  Throughout these successes, Lesley has continued to be collaborative and open to promoting the community as a whole.  She regularly spreads the word about Noblesville Creates, the Hamilton County Artists’ Association, and the CCA gallery in Carmel, including inviting Sherman Burdette from Fox 59 to do a news segment about Noblesville arts.  She mentored a college student this summer who wanted more practical experience with being a professionally successful fine artist, and she has headed up an Acrylic Painting 101 class to help engage new artists and arts enthusiasts.  Lesley’s positive, collaborative attitude breeds goodwill and success from which we all benefit!

Jessica Springman

Jessica Springman’s artistic energy is contagious, a fact known by anyone who has been near her as she works on or talks about one of her many amazing art projects.  Her meticulously detailed abstract drawings have fascinated visitors to area galleries and graced the offices of the Indianapolis Arts Council last year.  Jessica has pitched in on many projects, including at Conner Prairie.  Her recent hydrophilic paint project with the Fishers Arts Council has brought a sense of whimsy and discovery to downtown Fishers.  Jessica’s talent is undeniable, and her growing professional standing will help grow the reputation of artists in the Noblesville Creates region for years to come.

 James Anderson

A two-time Showcase Artist exhibitor at Noblesville Creates, Jim Anderson has proven to be one of the most charitably minded artists in our network.  His eye for abstract composition in nature has fascinated many, and his affable personality has charmed many art lovers into becoming arts patrons by buying one of his canvases or prints.  He and his wife Linda travel all over Central Indiana to both promote their work and support the work of other artists.  Their friendly, genuine interest in seeing others succeed is heartwarming and strengthens the efforts of every organization to which they belong.

Arts Patron of the Year:

This award will go to a person or company that has invested a substantial amount in our arts community, either through the purchase of work by local artists, contributing money to support local arts organizations and/or investing in public art within our region. This person exemplifies the concept that art makes our entire community stronger and is good for business. This person is an established figure in our arts community, as well as our business community, and those of us seeking to improve our artistic culture look to him or her for leadership and support.

The nominees are:

Anne Merrell, Ann Minnich and the Noblesville Parks Foundation

Ann Minnich, Anne Merrell and the Noblesville Parks Foundation have sought out ways to beautify Noblesville by connecting the young aspiring artists of NHS with the parks of Noblesville.  They are currently planning the third Mayor’s Luncheon in support of the park and the emerging artists of our community.  Each year the Parks Foundation establishes a theme that is provided to the Noblesville High School Art Department to establish original art.  Students focus on this theme and construct ideas and produce original work for the Mayor’s Luncheon.  Each student selflessly donates the work to be auctioned off during the luncheon to support the parks of this growing community.  Last year, the Noblesville Parks Foundation established a community preview day of the artwork at Forest Park.  This evening allowed parents to see and buy back the art before the event.  The tireless effort put into making this event happen and striving to encourage the arts in this community are certainly two aspects that make this community strong, connected and growing.

The Legacy Fund

As long-standing supporter of creative projects of all kinds, the Legacy Fund is a critical form of financial and promotional support for many of our area arts organizations.  The Legacy Fund works hard each year to advocate for the importance of arts resources in our communities.  At a time when many donors want to direct their dollars towards health and human services, the Legacy Fund has ensured that creative services – those amenities that help communities stay relevant and that provide important emotional and creative outlets for a diverse population – can also receive attention and support.  With an incredibly smart and savvy staff, the Legacy Fund has provided many of us with dollars, with advice, and occasionally even a shoulder to cry on as we work through the stresses of nonprofit management.  Thanks to their continued dedication to helping arts and cultural organizations succeed, the Legacy Fund has set a high bar for arts patronage throughout our region.

Our Town Cicero

Our Town Cicero is a brand new community development organization dedicated to promoting businesses and amenities in Cicero.  A creative and visionary team of local leaders, OTC has already begun to infuse Cicero with new spirit and vitality. With sustainability as a core ethic, this group recognizes that artists and art projects are a critical component of a town’s long-term health and relevance. This year, the group added an arts committee and has begun to explore the potential that local artists can have on the town’s identity and spirit.  Our Town Cicero’s greatest impact is sure to come in the year’s ahead, but we felt that their forward-thinking strategy deserved recognition.

Mr. Muffin’s Trains

Stephen Nelson and Liz Foley are living proof that entrepreneurism and community development can go hand in hand.  This couple recently embarked upon an ambitious project to bring new life to downtown Atlanta, and they have been sure to keep the voice of residents included in their plans.  They are moving their large O-gauge model train display to Atlanta, Ind., into a building that they purchased and are rehabilitating with their own sweat equity.  They are offering up the second floor of the building for artists to use as studio and classroom space, and expect only enthusiasm and dedication in return!  The impact of this effort is sure to be more evident in the coming years, but Liz and Steve’s incredibly collaborative vision certainly makes them worthy of notice.

Anthony Najem

As part of his company’s new campus in downtown Fishers, Anthony Najem has invested tens of thousands of dollars in public art through Meyer Najem Construction.  He commissioned a large, outdoor sculpture that was unveiled this June that has become an iconic part of the ever-improving Nickel Plate District.  He also has purchased artwork by noted artists to display inside the building, and installed a hanging system so that the second floor of his building can function as a gallery.  This gallery space, which does not have the restrictions that a government building or school might require, will be an important resource for both established and emerging artists for years to come, and it has the potential to become a vibrant community space where the business and private sectors can intermingle and inspire one another.  Due to his role on the Noblesville Creates board of directors, he is not eligible to receive this award, but since a community member nominated him, we wanted to acknowledge his contributions.

Brenda Myers

To put it bluntly, Noblesville Creates would not exist if it were not for Brenda Myers.  Brenda, with the help of others, envisioned a community-based arts organization that could serve six towns and help define our region.  She found the funding to renovate these historic buildings.  She recruited talented leaders to serve on both the board and the staff.  She personally donated funds, supplies and countless volunteer hours.  She has conscientiously collected local art and participated in countless creative events each year.  She has thrown down the gauntlet for what arts patronage and leadership should be, and our community is much stronger, more relevant, and more fun thanks to all of her hard work and dedication.  Because of her role on the Noblesville Creates board of directors, she is not eligible to receive this award, but since a community member nominated her, and because these awards would not be possible without her, we wanted to recognize her contributions.

Although only four people will take home the beautiful trophies that are being hand-made by artists Craig Helming and Demaris Gaunt, everyone on this list is making an incredible difference in our arts community.  We hope you will join us in thanking each of these leaders, as well as the other artists, musicians, performers, administrators and art lovers who make the Noblesville Creates region such an amazing place.

Our review committee will select four winners from among these worthy nominees. These winners will be announced at our Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony on September 17, 6-9 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling 317-452-3690.

Donations to Noblesville Creates, which are humbly appreciated and greatly needed, can be made online or by sending a check to 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville, IN 46060.