By: Braydee Euliss, Deftly Creative & Mike Rhodes—
Muncie, IN—The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC), in conjunction with the City of Muncie, celebrated the 3rd biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Muncie Civic Theatre.
The Mayor’s Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors given by the city to individual artists, teachers, non-profit organizations, and patrons of the arts. The Mayor’s Arts Awards were presented in eight distinct categories: Arts Advocate, Arts Leader, Arts Educator, Corporate Arts, Artist in the Community, Next Generation Artist, Maker, and Lifetime Achievement.
You may listen to the award presentation audio below.
Jonathan Becker is pictured introducing his design for the 2019 Mayor’s Arts Awards. Photo by: Mike Rhodes
The Award Recipients Are As Follows:
Artist in the Community:
Lynette K. Waters-Whitesell
Lynette K. Waters-Whitesell a full-time designer and art director whose personal artwork is often comprised of mixed media on wooden panel. Her work is exhibited throughout the Midwest. She exhibits the work ethic and pride that one would expect from an award-winning graphic designer, but even more important is her willingness to encourage others to seek a career that offers the rewards of showcasing one’s creative self while providing a service to the community. Lyn continuously offers her support, expertise, and passion for the promotion of the arts in our community through pro bono work for many nonprofit organizations, as well as through donations of her art work for fundraisers.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Lynette K. Waters-Whitesell, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Arts Advocate:
Michelle Bade
Michelle Bade is a music educator in the Muncie Community Schools system with a long history of recognition for her work with students, in and out of the classroom. One thing that sets Michelle apart is her dedication to community engagement and her desire to see the Arts thrive in our city. Michelle’s work on state and national level Boards and committees allows her to advocate for music and the arts at all levels of government and community. She does so with passion, knowing that educating children in the arts makes for a well-rounded individual.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Michelle Bade, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Arts Educator:
Tania Said
Tania Said is the Education Director of the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University. Her knowledge, influence, and love for the arts have greatly benefited students and teachers throughout the city of Muncie. Tania’s contributions to art education have been in professional memberships, community engagement, and fundraising. Through her planning and fundraising, SMART Tours for fourth grade students and their teachers became a citywide program for annual visits to DOMA. Tania’s creativity and collaboration are also evident through such programs as Final Fridays.These programs help bring different patrons into DOMA and experience art in a different way.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Tania Said, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Arts Leader:
Chris Flook
Chris Flook is a Lecturer in Telecommunications at Ball State University. He is well known in the community for his active role on the board of the Delaware County Historical Society. His list of major commitments and accomplishments as a leader and steward of DCHS includes the statue of Muncie native Hurley Goodall in Fireman’s Park. He and his students have created a number of videos for organizations around town. Chris has a bi-monthly column called “ByGone Muncie” in the Star Press and has written three books on area history.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Chris Flook, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Corporate Arts:
Krista Sides/Chameleon Salon
Krista Sides owns Chameleon Salon. Her mission to empower women mentally, physically, socially and financially in an environment which respects ideas, diversity, and hard work. As a cosmetologist, she daily makes her clients look and feel amazing. As educators, artists, and philanthropists — Krista and Chameleon Salon support a variety of social efforts in our community. Through the YWCA/Chameleon Connection, the living space of the YWCA has been transformed to be colorful, vibrant, and welcoming to those needing its shelter.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Krista Sides, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Maker:
Kim Miller
Kim Miller and her husband purchased Tribune Showprint in 2016, keeping this 140 year old business alive. Through Tribune Showprint, Kim has had a significant positive impact on the cultural vitality of the arts within our community through their contributions as a cultural anchor within the Madjax MakerSpace. Tribune Showprint has also elevated the regional and national visibility of Muncie as a destination for printers. Kim’s engagement with community has made Tribune Showprint an essential “go to” stop for artists and patrons during First Thursday events. Their presence in Madjax has been essential to establishing the space as a legitimate Makers hub that is community focused, and dedicated to connecting artists to resources.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Kim Miller, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Next Generation Artist:
Rachel Replogle
Rachel Replogle is a senior double-major in Telecommunications and Theatre at Ball State University. She is an accomplished musician, performing artist, photographer, videographer, and director. What sets her apart is her commitment to lifting up, bringing visibility to, and praising the worth of this community she is so proud to have grown up in. In addition to three years of volunteer work with Muncie Civic Theatre, she is involved with Muncie Fields of Faith, The Prism Project (“a performing arts program for children with exceptionalities”), Ball State’s Cave Theatre, and Muncie Community Schools.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Rachel Replogle, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Lifetime Achievement:
Hurley Goodall
In addition to Hurley Goodall’s service as a civil rights leader, fire-fighter, and MCS School Board member, he served in the Indiana House of Representatives, 1978-92. While in the House, Mr. Goodall was appointed by Gov. Bayh to the Indiana Arts Commission. During his tenure he was instrumental in the development of the IAC Cultural Trust and is credited with the expansion and equitable distribution of Indiana Arts Commission resources throughout the state of Indiana. Many local arts and culture organizations in Muncie today benefit from this state-wide level work.
L-R: Mayor Dennis Tyler, Hurley Goodall, Jeff Howe. Photo by: Deftly Creative
Overview video by: Deftly Creative
The 2019 Mayor’s Arts Awards are made possible through support from the Muncie Arts and Culture Council, the City of Muncie, Presenting Sponsor— Old National Bank, VIP Reception Sponsor— First Merchants Bank & First Merchants Private Wealth Management, and Community Reception Sponsor— Mutual Bank. Learn more about Muncie Arts & Culture Council at www.munciearts.org
