Submitted
The annual Celebrate Noblesville Creates fundraiser took place on Sept. 25, bringing together artists, supporters, and community members for an inspiring evening in celebration of the arts. The organization extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, showed their support, and contributed to the continued growth and financial impact of Noblesville Creates.
Guests enjoyed a vibrant reception featuring a cash bar, live music, and interactive art demonstrations. Unique fundraising activities – including a Whiskey Pull, Raffle, and both Silent and Live Auctions – offered one-of-a-kind experiences such as hotel stays courtesy of Hamilton County Tourism, exclusive experience packages, local art classes, and original artwork.
The evening continued with a full dinner, more live entertainment, a Fund-a-Need segment, and the annual Noblesville Creates Awards Ceremony, which recognized outstanding contributions to the arts community.
Noblesville Creates expresses sincere appreciation to everyone who made the event possible, including Embassy Suites Noblesville, event sponsors and donors, and all attendees whose support helps sustain and grow the local arts community.
Sponsors
- Efroymson Foundation
- Hamilton County Tourism
- Looking Glass Pottery
- Christi Crosser
- Peterson Architecture
- Purgatory Golf Club
- American Structurepoint
- Bradford Consulting Group
- Church Church Hittle and Antrim
- The Farmers Bank
- Coverdale Consulting
- Cross Country Mortgage
- John & Trisha Stitz
- Julie Finke
- Esther Lakes
- Wine Sponsor: Clos du Bois
“Each year, I’m amazed by the passion our community shows for the arts,” Noblesville Creates Director Aili McGill said. “From artists who share their creativity to supporters who invest in our mission, everyone contributes to making Noblesville a place where creativity thrives.”
A new highlight of this year’s event was the Centerpiece Table Décor Artist Competition, which invited local artists to design creative centerpieces that showcased how they personally celebrate creativity. Congratulations to Jeff Martin of Looking Glass Pottery, the winner of this year’s competition. Through voting and centerpiece purchases, the competition generated an additional $1,395 in support of Noblesville Creates’ mission.
The funds raised during the event will directly support the continued growth of the Creative Economy, an initiative focused on driving economic impact in the Noblesville region and beyond through arts and culture. These contributions will also help make possible Noblesville Creates’ major 2025 events – Comic Book in a Day, HATCH Fest, Day of the Dead, and Fairyville – and provide critical professional support for artists, performers, designers, and creative entrepreneurs.
Noblesville Creates also extends congratulations to this year’s Noblesville Creates Awards recipients, who were recognized as visionary leaders dedicated to expanding and enriching opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts across central Indiana.
Here are this year’s winners:
Artist of the Year: Amanda Russo
This award recognizes established artists who excel in their chosen medium, increasing the community’s reputation and strengthening the creative economy through their work and dedication.
Russo was selected for her outstanding work as both a professional fine artist and as an arts educator. Her artistic work captures ephemeral expressions and elevates them into iconic, idealized images, often sparkling with gold highlights. As an arts educator, she excelled as Hamilton County Artists’ Association’s Education Chair, developing a slate of successful arts classes for adults and camps for students.
Emerging Artist of the Year: Frank Hindes
This award recognizes artists who have been working for five years or fewer in their current field or medium and who have demonstrated professionalism, creativity, artistic excellence, and leadership.
Hindes was selected for his work on the Sister Cities mural, which was installed in Noblesville earlier this year. He had never before painted a mural professionally and jumped enthusiastically and thoughtfully into this project, creating a new public amenity that has brought new awareness to Noblesville and to Sister Cities.
Arts Partner of the Year: Noblesville Public Safety
This award recognizes individuals or organizations that have developed innovative opportunities to build or work alongside the local arts community.
Noblesville Public Safety was selected for their calm and even-handed approach to problem solving and community engagement. They strive to be part of the fabric of the community, rather than standing apart from it, and their proactive collaboration and genuine care for this community has resulted in countless successes for all the cultural organizations who present events in Noblesville.
Arts Advocate of the Year: Caroline Hays
This award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their time to promoting the arts and highlighting how the arts create a positive impact for all.
Hays was recognized for her work in developing a pathway for arts students to gain real-world experience in the arts field. She and her colleagues are leading a year-long class for eight arts-focused seniors to work and study at Noblesville Creates, gaining working experience, engaging with artist mentors, and learning behind-the-scenes lessons about what it takes to bring art to life in central Indiana.
Arts Champion of the Year: City of Westfield
This award recognizes individuals or organizations who have invested significant time, talent, and treasure into the local arts economy to grow and strengthen the community. Westfield was selected due to its leadership in community arts investment, investing in both public art and long-range arts planning. The city’s thoughtful and community-centric approach to arts development cultivates a regional identity that is unique, engaging, and welcoming.
Board Emeritus Award: Darren Peterson
This award recognizes Peterson’s 10 years of service to the Noblesville Creates Board of Directors, including his nine years as President. He is someone who has dedicated not just his time, talent, and treasure, but has also staked his reputation on the success of the arts and of Noblesville Creates, in particular. For all that he has done for the city and for Noblesville Creates, the Board of Directors will honor his legacy by naming a board seat in his honor.
Photos provided by Noblesville Creates