The Artys

The Artys is Mobile’s only arts award program that acknowledges the priceless contributions made to the arts and cultural community. For seventeen 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.

The 2020 award artist, date, and location are currently being determined and will be announced at the beginning of 2021. Nominations are now open for the 17th Annual Artys. Click the link below to nominate someone you know for an award!

Click here to nominate someone today!

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