The Artys, presented by Mobile Arts Council, were held on Wednesday, April 9th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel with a record attendance of over 210 individuals.
The 20th annual awards show featured a catered dinner, cash bar, music by the Jimmy Roebuck Trio, and live performances by Bent Broadway, Mobile’s Poet Laureate, Charlotte Pence, and Floretta P. Carson's Dance Ensebmle.
This year, the Mobile Arts Council honored Mary Frances Clark, Tanya Parent, Bruce Larsen, Spoken Word of Mobile, Drew Hall, Susan Rouillier, LaDarrel Bell, The Mobile Jewish Film Festival, Hannah Legg, Cherelle “CeCe” Smith, David Rasp, and Steve Mussell.
This year’s Arty awards, which are always an original work of art, were created by local welder and sculptor, Laura Ledbetter.
The Artys is Mobile's ONLY arts award program that recognizes both impact and excellence across all realms of the arts. In its 20th year, this program has presented awards to individuals, businesses, and organizations who are dedicated to improving the arts and cultural scene in the Mobile area.
Thank you to the 2025 Artys sponsors: Mobile County Commission (Commissioners Ludgood and Hudson), Bay Business News, New Horizons Credit Union, Downtown Mobile Alliance and Alabama Public Radio.
2024 Award by Laura Ledbetter
2024 Recipients
Visual Artist – Hannah Legg
Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award – Spoken Word of Mobile
Art Educator – Tanya Parent
Cultural Innovation – Bruce Larsen
Literary Artist – Susan Rouillier
Musical Artist - LaDarrel Bell Organization - Mobile Jewish Film Festival
Emerging Artist – Cherrelle "CeCe" Smith
Art Soldier – Mary Frances Clarke
Eva Golson Excellence in Film Award - Drew Hall
Patron - David Rasp
Lifetime Achievement – Steve Mussell
2023 Award by Nancy Goodman
2023 Recipients
Visual Artist – Lynda Smith Touart
Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award – Andra Bohnet
Art Educator – Katia Garza
Cultural Innovation – Festival of Flowers
Literary Artist – Ben Raines
Musical Artist- Drew Nix
Organization –Sunny Side Theater
Art Soldier – Mobile Opera Costume Guild
Eva Golson Excellence in Film Award - Scott Lumpkin
Business - Ate Stax
Patron - Commissioner Merceria Ludgood
Lifetime Achievement – JoAnn Cox
2022 Award by Muffinjaw Designs
2022 Recipients
Visual Artist – Nancy Goodman
Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award – The PACT Theatre
Art Educator – Christie LeGros
Cultural Innovation – Nat Johnson
Literary Artist – Steve Joynt
Musical Artist- Symone French
Organization –Mobile Botanical Gardens
Art Soldier – Nadine Andrews
Arts Partner - City of Mobile Parks & Rec
Business - Showbiz Theatrical Services
Patron: Individual – Michael Smith & Karen Carr
Lifetime Achievement – Eva Golson
2021 Award by Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough
2021 Recipients
Visual Artist – Soynika Edwards Bush
Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award – Bill Watts
Art Educator – Amanda Youngblood
Cultural Innovation – Alabama Contemporary Art Center
Literary Artist – Lawrence Specker
Musical Artist- Headphones On
Organization – Mobile International Festival
Art Soldier – Frida Schnitzler
Patron: Individual – Mary and Charles Rodning
Patron: Business - Downtown Mobile Alliance
Lifetime Achievement – Scott Wright
2019 award by Ardith Goodwin
2019 Recipients
Visual Artist – Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough
Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award – Daniel Mainwaring
Art Educator – Eric Browne
Cultural Innovation – Courtney Dreher Matthews
Literary Artist – Angela Trigg (Quarles)
Business - Ashland Gallery
Musical Artist- Dr. Robert Holm
Organization – Eastern Shore Art Center
Art Soldier – RSVP of Mobile
Patron – Lynn Henderson Oldshue
Lifetime Achievement – Dr. Bill Barrick
2018 award by Chris Cumbie
2018 Recipients
Visual Artist – Pinky/MM Bass
Performing Artist, Individual – Enen Yu
Performing Artist, Organization - Power Lines Poetry
Art Educator – Hosea London
Cultural Innovation – Central Arts Collective
Design – Mobile Fashion Week
Literary Artist – Kevin Lee
Business - Mobile Public Library
Organization – Mobile Chamber Music
Art Soldier – Sherrick Sandy
Lifetime Achievement – Excelsior Band
2017 award by April Livingston
2017 Recipients
Visual Artist – Sean Herman
Performing Artist – Lynn Campbell
Art Educator – Stephen French
Artistic Innovation – Lynn Henderson Oldshue
Design – Patricia Richardson
Literary Artist – Frye Gaillard
Business – Kazoola
Organization – Alabama Contemporary Center
Art Soldier – Donna and Joe Camp
Patron – John Thompson
Lifetime Achievement – Charles Smith
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
