The arts are essential to our humanity, inspiring us to create, connect, and grow. They nurture empathy, beauty, and innovation, while strengthening our communities socially, educationally, and economically


The Artys is Mobile’s premier awards program, celebrating both impact and excellence across all areas of the arts. In a city teeming with creativity, The Artys recognizes the individuals, businesses, and organizations that enrich our arts and cultural landscape. This annual event also serves as a platform to showcase the incredible talent of local performing arts groups.


Each year, community members nominate candidates, and a panel of arts representatives narrows the list to select winners in 11 categories. These honorees receive a limited-edition work of art crafted by a local artist, with the 2025 award designed by visual artist Marshall OHern. Award categories include Art Soldier, Arts Educator, Business, Cultural Innovation, Eva Golson – Excellence in Film, Organization, Danielle Juzan – Performing Artist, Musical Artist, Visual Artist, Patron, and Lifetime Achievement.


The Artys wouldn't be possible without the support from Downtown Mobile Alliance, Mobile County Commission, New Horizons Credit Union, Bay Business News, Hargrove Foundation, Ron Barrett LLC, Dex Imaging, Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, and Alabama Public Radio.

If you are interested in sponsoring the Artys, please contact Angela Montgomery.

2026 Sponsorship Package

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2025 Award by Marshall Ohern2025 Award by Marshall Ohern

2025 Recipients

Visual Artist – Brian Tan

Danielle Juzan Performing Artist Award – Patrick Jacobs

Art Educator – Daniela Pardo

Cultural Innovation – Muffinjaw Designs

Literary Artist – Jodie Cain Smith

Musical Artist - Eric Erdman

Organization - Chickasaw Civic Theatre

Emerging Artist – Carter Hale, Jr.

Art Soldier – LeaAyn Shurley

Eva Golson Excellence in Film Award - Alfred Ward

Patron - Donna and Joseph Camp

Lifetime Achievement – Stan Hackney

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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 BellOrganization - 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 Arty Award by Nancy Goodman

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

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2022 Award by Muffinjaw Designstter

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

sculpture

2015 award by Rene Culler

2015 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

2009 Recipients

2009 award by Brad Robertson

Artist – Charles Smith

Business – Gallery 54

Educator – Danny and Pam Mollise

Organization – Azalea City Quilters’ Guild

Patron – Arlene Mitchell

Volunteer – Elmo Hammer

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Artist - Dr. Sue Walker

Business - The Chesser Gallery

Educator - Dr. Joseph Mitchell

Organization - WHIL-FM

Patron - Palmer Bedsole

Volunteer - Celia Mann Baehr

Artist - Lil Greenwood

Business - Alabama Power Company

Educator - Charles "Mack" Clark

Organization - Joe Jefferson Players

Volunteer - Joe Riemer

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2007 award by Casey Downing, Jr. Photograph by David Trimmier

2006 Recipients

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2007 Recipients

2006 award by John B. Howell III Photograph by Mark Calametti

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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