Congratulate the 2024 For the Love of Art Honorees
The ArtCentre of Plano is thrilled to announce the 2024 honorees who will be celebrated at this year's For the Love of Art event. The honorees were selected by a diverse committee of art patrons and former honorees.
Each honoree answered the question: Why are the arts important? Read their answers by clicking the quote below each honoree’s listing.
Artist Award - Sculpture
George Tobolowsky
Recognizes an artist whose artistic achievements are widely recognized; whose work has demonstrated a compelling and unique vision; and who has produced a significant body of work that has enriched the community.
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“I make abstract metal sculptures from steel and stainless steel “found objects.” These found objects however, are not of the everyday sort, but rather bulky industrial metal castoffs that I scour scrap yards and fabrication plants to find. I rarely alter theses metal pieces but instead work to fit the individual scraps together – much like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – into balanced compositions. My sculptures are one part assemblage and one part recycling, which follows closely with the philosophy of another early artistic influence and mentor, Louise Nevelson.”
Artist Award - Multimedia
Jas Mardis
Recognizes an artist whose artistic achievements are widely recognized; whose work has demonstrated a compelling and unique vision; and who has produced a significant body of work that has enriched the community.
Photo: Missy Burton
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Growing up in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas there was no shortage of art being practiced across the area. There were Bottle Trees, crocheted flower pot holders on porches, tree houses, go carts, tree houses, painted cars, porches where we told stories, played the "dozens" and repeated folklore gems like "Shine on the Titanic" or tried our hand at Doo-Wop harmony. There were also a number of Folk Artist/Junk yards with carvings and such for us to marvel at and eventually call "art'. Most homes hung their bed quilts on the clotheslines, but those were not considered art, just bedding. During the late 60's we went off to Elementary School and had a class called Social Studies. It was a time when "Black Studies" was benefitting from the Arts Renaissance Movements so we enjoyed books like "Black Art In America" that featured the works of all the Artists of that era, but especially Collage Artist, Romare Bearden, Charles White, Jacob Lawrence and Elizabeth Catlett. So, for a time the Community enjoyed a relationship with "the arts" that felt natural and organic. Art was feeding the teen through study and lived out with the Gospel explosions of Andre Crouch and Billy Preston and Church choirs, but also art was being made and hung in our homes as a result. A number of the older family members lent their "down home" crafting skills and all sorts of quilting, woodburning and basket weaving slipped into the community narrative. We shared across generations and culturally glued our little enclaves together at a time when it wasn't clear if you'd be welcomed at libraries, community centers and any art gallery.”
Art Education Award
Tracy Evans
Recognizes an individual who or an organization that through extraordinary vision and leadership has enriched arts education.
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“Texas Health Plano knows the power of the arts to connect and to heal – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. There is increasing attention to the role of the arts in health and wellness. Studies show creative expression helps maintain our immune systems and that art is clinically proven to reduce stress, elevate mood, and lower blood pressure. Art can move, heal, inspire, and connect people.”
Business Award
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
Recognizes significant contributions to the arts by a corporation/business that demonstrates extraordinary philanthropy, leadership and commitment to advancing and supporting the arts.
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“The ARTS in every form is essential for learning, growing, accepting, and creating a world that embraces all of us! We are all unique, and our art, our music, and our creative endeavors should celebrate our individuality while building our community! In the art studio at Mitchell and at Wells, I wanted my students to develop a respect for differing preferences, cultures, and perspectives. The art studio is the PERFECT place to discuss and respect unique thoughts, traditions, and opinions. Art is all about personal preferences, and in our classroom we learned how to work together in that framework. We strived to collaborate respectfully, and for everyone to create, share, learn and grow in our art studio fulfilling our motto: We are a Kind and Caring Classroom. The art making is secondary. THE ARTS is what connects us and brings us TOGETHER! In Plano and Plano ISD, we are a palette of many colors, cultures, beliefs, and faiths but we are all here in the same space to work together to make our world a beautiful place to live!”
Patron Award
Frank Turner
Celebrates an individual or family who through philanthropic contributions to the arts and extraordinary leadership advances artistic excellence.
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“Art communicates the essence of the human experience. Its importance begins with its creation and continues with an endless journey of reflection, interpretation, and understanding. Art is personal and shared. It defines our values, defeats, triumphs, and aspirations. Art reveals the distinct character of the individual and community.”
Leadership Award
Kathy Chamberlain
Recognizes exceptional long-term leadership, vision, and commitment in encouraging and developing the arts.
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“I feel the arts are important for many reasons. The arts touch lives of the artist in a meaningful way allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings and impact others by being thought provoking or allowing others to “escape” from their daily lives and be able to enjoy something they find pleasing to one or more of their senses. I have found the arts contribute greatly to the quality of life for our community, instills qualities in my students which help them to be successful in life. Should we speak about the economic engine the arts bring to a city?”
Organization Award
Celebrating Asian American Heritage Foundation
Honors an organization that has made an important contribution to the growth of the fine arts over a significant period of time.
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“Plano AsiaFest/CAAHF is dedicated to enriching our community by promoting the diversity of Asian culture though cultural activities and participation in community events.”
Impresario Award
Goldmark Cultural Center
Celebrates an organization or person that has developed a business or other platform that has advanced recognition of the arts.
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“The Goldmark Cultural Center serves as a gathering place for North Texas visual artists by providing affordable art studios, accessible art galleries, free art events, and a 170+ member resident-artist community at our location in North Dallas. Having such a concentration of visual artists, art exhibitions, and art workspace at a single site facilitates and encourages spontaneous creative inspiration and collaboration between the artists and nurtures the development of connections between the artists, the patrons of the arts, and the local public. Bringing visual arts and artists of all mediums, backgrounds, and skill levels to an area of the Metroplex that has been deprived of traditional fine arts venues enriches the lives of both the local residents and the artists.”
Special Recognition Award
Plano Art Walk (a project by Leadership Plano Class 37)
Recognizes a unique project or program that makes an impact on the entire community and strengthens appreciation of the arts.
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“I believe the main goal of our art walk project was to let others know Plano has a thriving art scene; and you don’t have to travel outside of Plano to experience exceptional art. The walk is celebrated not only for its artistic value but also for its inclusivity, with interactive features like scavenger hunts and prompts to enhance the experience. One notable aspect of the Plano Art Walk is its integration of significant cultural sites, such as the Douglass Community's "Tracks of Our Past and Future" mural, which honors the history of Plano's historically African American neighborhood. The initiative has been highlighted for helping Plano carve out a distinct place in the regional art scene, often overshadowed by larger cities nearby.”
Volunteer Award
Katherine Goodwin
Recognizes an individual whose long-term volunteer involvement and commitment strongly support the arts thereby enriching the community.
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“ALL people benefit from the arts because the parts of the brain stimulated by exposure to the arts make all the other parts of the brain and body more effective in creating healthier, happier and productive lives.”