31 Aug 2017 Noblesville Creates Award Nominees
Noblesville Creates launched the Noblesville Creates Awards in 2016 to celebrate local leadership in the arts. We interact with incredible people every day who work very hard to keep creativity thriving in and shaping the Nickel Plate Region. We can do our part by sharing their stories and successes with everyone. We are proud to present the 2017 Noblesville Creates Awards nominees. These leaders and artists must live or work in the Nickel Plate Region (Noblesville, Fishers, Cicero, Arcadia, Atlanta and Tipton) or made have made a major, positive impact on the local arts community. The winners in five categories will be announced during the 5th Annual Noblesville Creates Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 16, 2017. (YOU’RE INVITED, TOO!)
Emerging Patron of the Year Nominees
Norm Eden — The “painting beginner” joined Noblesville Creates and found the extent of NPArts’ contribution made to the community was much wider than expected. Norm’s vision for Noblesville Creates is to continue the good work and growth across the arts and the Nickel Plate communities, and to increase art involvement opportunities for seniors.
Brittany Mayfield — Generous contributor to Noblesville Creates, bringing a level of excitement to contribute to Noblesville Creates in support of her community and peers.
Blackhawk Winery & Vineyard — Owned by art lovers and patrons John and Deb Miller in Sheridan, Ind., winery’s goal is to produce quality wines with locally grown fruit. This year, Blackhawk Winery & Vineyard coordinated a wine label design contest with the help of Noblesville Creates, and in return has been contributing a portion of sales from one of its wines as a donation.
Patron of the Year Nominees
The Duke Energy Foundation — Provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture. Noblesville Creates received a $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support community-building efforts in Hamilton County’s Jackson Township.
The Legacy Fund — Enables Hamilton County residents to create a living legacy through philanthropy. Legacy Fund is the community foundation of Hamilton County. Since its inception in 1991, Legacy Fund, an affiliate of CICF, has awarded more than $54.6 million in grants to improve quality of life across Hamilton County, and has awarded $4.7 million in scholarships to area students. Like other community foundations, Legacy Fund has three priorities: consult with donors, family foundations and professional advisors on charitable giving; award grants; and provide leadership to address community needs. In 2017, The Legacy Fund has provided $5,000 for Noblesville Creates’s children’s classes and vital in-kind support to help us navigate our funding strategy for 2018 and beyond. The Legacy Fund has contributed over $10,000 in cash and in-kind support to Nickel Plate since 2012.
Emerging Artist of the Year Nominees
Noah Laramore — Fishers resident and University High School student who spearheaded designs for the public art crosswalks at Ninth and Maple streets in Noblesville.
Tyler Law — Noblesville High School student and guitar player who shares his love of music with a wider community by providing free guitar lessons at Noblesville Creates.
Andie Zelaya — While attending Promise Road Elementary school in 2016, was the youngest person to participate in Noblesville Creates’ Comic Book in a Day challenge, drawing six full pages of a sequential story over the course of 12 hours. Andie is now a student at Noblesville East Middle School.
Artist of the Year Nominees
Sarah Albert — Thirteen-year middle school art teacher and professional artist. Founder of The Dwelling Place Art Studio in Atlanta, whose mission is to provide faith-inspired programs, products and art instruction for the young and the young at heart. (Also led a free community activity attended by 130 people while she was over 8 months pregnant — wow!)
Debby Bauman — Noblesville potter and art instructor at the Indianapolis Art Center whose art is inspired by her childhood in the countryside of Turkey and Germany.
Jim Beitman — Fine artist, art therapist and, since 2012, friend of Noblesville Creates. In 2016, Beitman created a whimsical collage of a superhero sporting the Noblesville Creates logo. His nominator writes: “Jim’s true creative spirit invites others to dive into a safe and supportive arts atmosphere.”
Christine Merchent — Fine artist known for her latest large-scale project, a series of portraits of ballerinas and golfers called “Ballerinas on the Green.” 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 — 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.
Kay Simmers Richards — Watercolor artist who paints evocative landscapes of local scenes along the White River and far-away seascapes that show her talent and her love of place. Currently president of the Hamilton County Artists’ Association. Her nominator writes: “She is one of the best painters in our community … constantly puts other artists and arts organizations first before any self-promotion.” Kay’s statement about her nomination: “In this world of hate and violence, the call of the arts becomes even more important. I am proud to say I am an artist.”
Jan Snyder — Equine and portrait artist who has spent the past many years as a prominent member of the Noblesville Creates community, sharing her gifts as an accomplished face painter. Founding member of the Indiana Equine Art Guild and the Atlanta, Ind., artist space.
Arts Entrepreneur of the Year Nominees
Caravan Classes — Offering art classes, parties and events in its Noblesville studio and mobile vintage camper studio. Nominator writes: “Great partnership and overall support to the community … Erin & Deanna are committed to working with their local community and arts partners.”
John Gilmore — Founder of grassroots entertainment venue Logan Street Sanctuary and guitarist for the Noblesville-based Noble Roots band.
Sarah E. Morin and Dr. Paul “Spike” Wilson — Run Noblesville Interdisciplinary Creativity Expo (NICE), Page & Stage Theatre Company and its Summer Drama Camp. Morin, a writer, and Wilson, and actor/director, also sit on the Logan Street Sanctuary Board. At the heart of their work are teaching and art.
Beth Wood — Founder of Kaleidoscope Krossing, providing workshops, classes, gatherings, and exhibits in her own creative space in Noblesville.
Register to attend the 5th Annual Noblesville Creates Anniversary Celebration to see some of the talented, hardworking people who are shaping our community and culture. Join us Saturday, September 16, 2017, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., at Noblesville Creates, 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville, IN 46060. REGISTER HERE.
