By The Shout

The following announcement is based on a press release from ArtsConnect.

TOPEKA — On Friday, October 16, ArtsConnect will host the annual Arty Awards. The event will be held at the recently renovated Heritage Hall, just west of 17th Street & Topeka Blvd. Tickets are $60 for the general public and $30 for artists. This event supports the ongoing work of ArtsConnect to support the arts in all disciplines all across Topeka. Find more information about the 2024 Arty Awards at https://artstopeka.org/artyawards.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate what artists bring that goes far beyond the work itself — their ideas, experiences, relationships, curiosity, and ability to help us see ourselves and one another in new ways,” said Sarah Fizell, ArtsConnect’s executive director. “This year’s honorees remind us that art is fundamentally about human connection and that artists play an essential role in shaping the identity, culture, and vitality of our community.”

 The celebration is expected to include an official unveiling of a commissioned portrait of the late Glenda Taylor, namesake of the Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award.

Created by Topeka painter and muralist Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Taylor’s portrait will debut during the Arty Awards. Taylor was a celebrated ceramic artist and former professor and chair of the Washburn University Art Department. Sneed-Dawkins was the 2025 recipient of the Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award.

The portrait is part of ArtsConnect’s Untold Stories Project, an initiative designed to preserve and share the stories of people whose vision, work and leadership have shaped Topeka’s arts community. The portrait unveiling will be followed later this fall by the premiere of a locally produced documentary exploring Taylor’s life, artistic work, leadership and lasting impact on the community. Premiere details will be announced by ArtsConnect in coming weeks.

This year’s Arty Awards theme is “The Art of Being Human.” It asks guests to consider what creativity, empathy, and authentic connection through artistic expression mean, at a time when rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping how people work, communicate and create.

“The theme is both a celebration and a call to action,” said Sarah Fizell, ArtsConnect executive director. “The Art of Being Human reminds us not to lose sight of the experiences and relationships that give creativity its meaning. Technology can’t replace the human stories, courage and connection at the heart of art. Glenda Taylor’s legacy, and the dedicated work of this year’s honorees, shows us what is possible when artists use their humanity to strengthen a community.”

The annual Arty Awards are Topeka’s premier celebration of the arts and a key fundraiser supporting ArtsConnect’s work. The event recognizes artists, organizations, educators and advocates whose contributions make Topeka and Shawnee County more vibrant, creative and connected.

“These honorees reflect the depth of Topeka’s creativity,” Fizell said. “Their work gives people places to gather, invites us to see our community from different perspectives, and helps ensure the arts remain accessible to everyone. We’re proud to recognize them.”

2026 honorees

Liz Stratton Arts Champion Honoree: Sunflower Music Festival
The Sunflower Music Festival is being recognized for its longstanding commitment to creating meaningful, high-quality musical experiences accessible to the entire community. As it approaches its 40th anniversary in 2027, the festival continues to promote the arts in Topeka by bringing world-class musicians to the community and creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience live music.

Through a partnership with the Topeka Housing Authority, the festival welcomes younger generations to its performances while its musicians work directly with children to share their artistry. The Blanche Bryden Institute extends this commitment to education by bringing high school and collegiate students together with professional musicians for a hands-on clinic.

Community Arts Award Honoree: J’Quory Guest
J’Quory Guest is being recognized for his ability to use art, education, and community engagement to create meaningful experiences that connect with people across generations. As an artist, writer, educator, and youth advocate, he moves between music, poetry, public speaking, classrooms, studios, churches, and community spaces, using his artistic talents to teach, encourage, advocate, and inspire.

Literary Arts Award Honoree: Anamarie Davis-Wilkins
Anamarie Davis-Wilkins is being recognized for her commitment to using writing and poetry to create connection, reflection, and understanding. A Topeka-based poet and novelist, she has shared her work through books, anthologies, open-mic events, and local literary organizations, addressing personal experience and larger questions of identity, community, and society. She is involved with groups such as Speak Easy Poets, National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Black Authors Community, the Aaron Douglas Art Fair, and serves as the vice president of the Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas.

Suki Blakely Performing Arts Award Honoree: Compass Point @ Dirty Girl Adventures
Compass Point is being recognized for its commitment to live music and for creating a welcoming space where artists and audiences can connect. By consistently giving musicians opportunities to perform and the community chances to experience live music, Compass Point has become an important part of Topeka’s cultural landscape.

Glenda Taylor Visual Arts Award Honoree: Stephanie Muñoz-O’Neil
Stephanie Muñoz-O’Neil is being recognized for her work as a visual artist, having created a body of work that reflects both exceptional craftsmanship and a deep connection to place, memory, and community. A longtime Topeka artist, her richly layered work draws on personal history, local landscapes, architecture, and cultural identity, transforming familiar imagery into pieces that invite viewers to look more closely and see their surroundings in new ways.

People’s Choice Award: Tonix & Tunes
Tonix & Tunes is being recognized for its commitment to creating a lively, inclusive home for music, performance, and community in Topeka. From live concerts and opportunities for emerging performers to DJ nights, dancing, and special events, Tonix & Tunes consistently creates reasons for people to gather around music and shared experiences. Its programming embraces a wide range of sounds and audiences, while also providing artists with an important space to perform, connect with new listeners, and build their presence.

Announcements are submissions from arts and cultural organizations and community members. They are published at the discretion of SHOUT editors and may be lightly edited. Send press releases and other announcements to emily@shoutwichita.com.

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