The Artys is Mobile’s only awards program that acknowledges the priceless contributions made to the arts and cultural community across all realms of the arts. For eighteen years, Mobile Arts Council has presented these awards to recognize the creative achievements of individuals, organizations, and businesses. Each year members of the community submit nominations, which are then narrowed down to a winner in each category by a panel of arts professionals. The winner of each category is honored at the awards event and presented with the Arty, a limited edition work of art created by a different local artist each year. Our 18th Annual Awards Ceremony date and location are currently in review. Stay tuned for updates soon!
The 17th Annual Artys
Last year's award artist was Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough, and the in-person event date is took place on January 27th at the Steeple on Saint Francis. Congratulations to our honorees!
You can still submit an individual for "The Final Curtain." This portion of the awards program will acknowledge and honor the individuals who have recently passed away (2019-2021). In order to be in included, each individual must have played a role in impacting the arts and cultural community in our area.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
2019 Recipients
Art Educator - Eric Browne
Art Soldier - RSVP of Mobile County
Business - Ashland Gallery
Cultural Innovation - Courtney Dreher Matthews
Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award- Daniel Mainwaring
Literary Artist - Angela Trigg (Quarles)
Musical Artists - Dr. Robert Holm
Organization - Eastern Shore Art Center
Visual Artist - Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough
Lifetime Achievement - Dr. Bill Barrick
Patron - Lynn Henderson Oldshue
2019 Award by Ardith Goodwin
2018 Recipients
Art Educator - Hosea London
Art Soldier - Sherrick Sandy
Business - Mobile Public Library
Cultural Innovation - Central Arts Collective
Design - Mobile Fashion Week
Literary Artist - Kevin Lee
Organization - Mobile Chamber Music
Performing Artist, Individual - Enen Yu
Performing Artist, Organization - Power Lines Poetry
Visual Artist - Pink/MM Bass
Lifetime Achievement - Excelsior Band
2018 award by Chris Cumbie
2017 Recipients
Visual Artist – Sean Herman
Performing Artist – Lynn Campbell
Arts Educator – Stephen French
Cultural Innovation – Lynn Henderson Oldshue
Design – Patricia Richardson
Literary Artist – Frye Gaillard
Business – Kazoola
Organization – Alabama Contemporary Art Center
Art Soldier – Donna and Joe Camp
Patron – John Thompson
Lifetime Achievement – Charles Smith
2017 award by April Livingston
Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors!
2016 award by Susie Bowman
2016 Recipients
Visual Artist – JD Crowe
Performing Artist – Thomas Rowell
Art Educator – Paige Vitullli
Artistic Innovation – Frye Building Project
Artistic Design – Ron Barrett
Literary Artist – John Sledge
Business – Windcreek Hospitality
Organization – Mobile Museum of Art
Art Soldier – Steven Alsip
Patron – Jake Peavy
Lifetime Achievement – Tut Riddick
2015 award by Rene Culler
2015 Recipients
Visual Artist – Ardith Goodwin
Performing Artist – Stacey Driskell
Art Educator – Nancy Raia
Artistic Innovation - 1065 Music Festival
Business – Bienville Books
Organization – Downtown Mobile Alliance
Mover and Shaker – Henry and Kate Seawell
Lifetime Achievement – Charlie Smoke
2014 award by Kate Seawell
2014 Recipients
Artist – Jason Guynes
Business – PNC Bank
Educator – Ben Harper
Organization – Mobile Ballet
Patron – Harold and Carlos Parkman
Volunteer – Mike Box
Emerging Artist – Lucy Gafford
Lifetime Achievement – John and Mickey Cleverdon
2013 award by Rachel Wright
2013 Recipients
Artist – Mike McKee
Business – Crescent Theater
Educator – Lori Bilbrey Vaghefi
Organization – Mobile Symphony Orchestra
Patron – Dr. Thomas Rosandich
Volunteer – Dan Silver
Emerging Artist – Riley Brenes
Lifetime Achievement – Carmen Brown
2012 award by Wanda Sullivan
2012 Recipients
Artist – Scott and Sarah Wright
Business – wellbornIdeas
Educator – Carolyn Greene
Organization – Spring Hill Medical Center Auxiliary
Patron – Gordon and Geri Moulton
Volunteer – Janetta Whitt-Mitchell
2011 award by Joe Hobbs
2011 Recipients
Artist – Rachel Wright
Business – Black Classics Book & Gifts
Educator – Orren Kickliter
Organization – MOJO (Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed)
Patron – Catt Sirten
Volunteer – Martha LoCicero
2010 award by Wayne McNeil and Paul Moxon Photograph by Tom Loehr
2010 Recipients
Artist – Wanda Sullivan
Business – The Blind Mule
Educator – Jane Shaw
Organization – Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival
Patron – Herndon Inge III
Volunteer – Laureen Lynn
2009 award by Brad Robertson
2009 Recipients
Artist – Charles Smith
Business – Gallery 54
Educator – Danny and Pam Mollise
Organization – Azalea City Quilters’ Guild
Patron – Arlene Mitchell
Volunteer – Elmo Hammer
2008 award by Charles Smith Photograph by Mark Calametti
2008 Recipients
Artist – Kate Seawell
Business – Evonik - Degussa
Educator – Nancy Raia
Organization – Mobile Art Association
Patron – Yvonne Kalen
Volunteer – Marian Blake
2007 award by Casey Downing, Jr. Photograph by David Trimmier
2007 Recipients
Artist - Lil Greenwood
Business - Alabama Power Company
Educator - Charles "Mack" Clark
Organization - Joe Jefferson Players
Volunteer - Joe Riemer
2006 award by John B. Howell III Photograph by Mark Calametti
2006 Recipients
Artist - Dr. Sue Walker
Business - The Chesser Gallery
Educator - Dr. Joseph Mitchell
Organization - WHIL-FM
Patron - Palmer Bedsole
Volunteer - Celia Mann Baehr
2005 award by Bertice McPherson Photograph by Amanda Napper
2005 Recipients
Artist – Casey Downing, Jr.
Business - Ciba
Educator – Barbara Laurendine
Organization – Mobile Opera
Patron – Dr. Sam Eichold
Volunteer – Patrice Baur
2004 award by Tony Wright
2004 Recipients
Artist – Ira Swingle, Jr.
Business - Mobile Register
Educator – Christy LeGros
Organization – Theatre 98
Patron – Sybil H. Smith Charitable Trust
Volunteer – Jane Williamson