Noblesville nonprofit will “Paint the Town Red” at September’s celebratory event
Nickel Plate Arts will hold its ninth anniversary “Paint the Town Red” gala on Thursday, Sept. 23 to celebrate the area’s diverse and growing arts scene in Hamilton County. The evening’s capstone event is the Nickel Plate Arts Award ceremony which recognizes local artists, teachers, advocates, and leaders.
The gala is being held at Hub & Spoke, a Fishers design center, and will feature dinner by Jacquie’s Catering, live music by Indy Gorgeous Club and Joy Collins and Steve Newby, hands-on arts experiences, and a live auction during Nickel Plate Arts’ premiere fundraiser of the year.
“Our planning committee is thrilled to bring this annual event back, live and in-person, at the gorgeous Hub & Spoke designer center,” said Executive Director Ailithir McGill. “We’ve creatively utilized all the open space, inside and out, which will allow us to celebrate these artists in person and in style. Nickel Plate Arts is eager to celebrate each of the nominees for their accomplishments and passion. This year we are recognizing 21 individuals and businesses who are actively engaged in strengthening the arts community. We’ve added an Arts Leader of the Year award this year, which is a testament to the strong community involvement in Hamilton County.”
The nominees for the 2021 Nickel Plate Arts Awards are as follows:
Emerging Arts Champion
- David Decker, championed the new makerspace in Hub & Spoke
- Ross Hilleary, advocated for the FA + CC grant program
- Jason Pearson, spearheaded 2021’s inaugural Front Porch Music Festival
Emerging Artists
- Frederick Durham, innovative photographer and showcase artist
- Daniel Grose, vibrant aerial and traditional photography of the Hamilton County area
- Grace Gross, rain barrel contest winner for Lights Over Morse
- Teresa Wesley, emerging entrepreneur who creates crochet Amigurumi animals and bracelets
Artist of the Year
- Jessica Hancock, fine art, illustration, and design
- Dan Howell, clay work
- Jeannie Logan & Marc Feeney, creators of the Cabin Fever Cabaret
- Walt Thacker, paintings including the White River canoe project and Carmel water barrels
Arts Patron of the Year
- Karen Huff, regular supporter of local artists and their works
- Steve Sanner, founder of the Jiffy Lube Mural Project
- Thompson Thrift, supporter of local murals, art projects, and musicians, include Live Listening on the Yard
Arts Educator of the Year
- Michelle Feeney, connected arts students to at-home art kits during the pandemic and to the ‘Tar City’
- Erin Goodman, connected arts students to the Cicero mura and White River Canoe project
Arts Leaders of the Year
- Leah Leach, founder of Gals Guide Library, the only women’s history lending library in the US
- Jennie Otterman, local esteemed theatre director, including this year’s Shakespeare in the Park in Noblesville
- Tom Rich, President of the Fishers Art Council
- Celeste Williams, important journalistic voice and leader of Indiana Writers Center
The evening gala will start with a champagne reception at 5:30 p.m., while attendees watch and participate with hands-on art demonstrations of clay, leather work, and paper arts. Red themed art will be displayed across the venue, celebrating the theme of “Paint the Town Red.” There will be a live and silent auction as well as a wine pull. All proceeds, including tickets to the gala, benefit Nickel Plate Arts and the work they do in Hamilton County and around Indiana to cultivate arts resources and celebrate creativity.
The main event begins at 6:30 p.m. which includes a sumptuous meal from Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, including hors d’oeuvres and dessert. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available. The awards ceremony completes the event. A virtual option is still being explored.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to nickelplatearts.org/gala.
About Nickel Plate Arts
Nickel Plate Arts is an umbrella nonprofit organization that creates and coordinates arts and cultural experiences across communities in eastern Hamilton County and the surrounding areas to improve the quality of life for residents, strengthen local economies and enrich experiences for visitors. Nickel Plate Arts is a project of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. Visit Nickel Plate Arts at 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville, online at nickelplatearts.org or call (317) 452-3690.