Arts & Letters Awards RECIPIENTS chosen
The Friends of the San Antonio Public Library Arts and Letters Award Committee are pleased to announce three award recipients this year in the following categories: Artistic Merit, Arts Education, and Public Leadership.
The 2025 Award recipients are:
Adriana M. Garcia for Artistic Merit, Juan Miguel Ramos for Arts Education, and Yadhira Lozano for Public Leadership. We congratulate them and look forward to honoring them on Nov. 16, @ 2 p.m. at Mission Branch Library at the 2025 Arts and Letters Award Ceremony.
Artistic Merit: Recognition of an individual who is the most compelling artist working and living in San Antonio in all (or any) discipline of the arts field and at any stage of their career. This individual is a master of their craft and has a portfolio of accomplishments within the local arts community.
Arts Education: Recognition of an individual who is a dedicated arts educator within San Antonio based educational institutions. This award recognizes transformational leadership in arts education through strategic planning, strong programming, and the engagement of partners to achieve common goals within the arts (education) community.
Public Leadership in the Arts: Recognition of an elected (or previously elected) official at the local level of government. This award honors an individual who is active within the community and whose advocacy efforts have significantly increased support for and public recognition of the arts in San Antonio. This individual’s vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts community in San Antonio.
Rising Star Young Artist: Special recognition to an individual under the age of 21 in the fields of film, theater, music, performing arts, literature(poetry) and the like. This award honors a “Rising Star” in San Antonio who is an emerging voice within the arts community and a trailblazer within his/her chosen artistry.
Legacy: Recognition of an individual who has made significant contributions to their field and whose work has significantly altered the arts community within San Antonio. This individual exemplifies the relationship between their artistry and its lasting impact on the community. This individual has an extensive portfolio of artistic accomplishments and maintains a level of advocacy within his/her community.
The 2025 Award recipients are:
Adriana M. Garcia for Artistic Merit, Juan Miguel Ramos for Arts Education, and Yadhira Lozano for Public Leadership. We congratulate them and look forward to honoring them on Nov. 16, @ 2 p.m. at Mission Branch Library at the 2025 Arts and Letters Award Ceremony.
Artistic Merit: Recognition of an individual who is the most compelling artist working and living in San Antonio in all (or any) discipline of the arts field and at any stage of their career. This individual is a master of their craft and has a portfolio of accomplishments within the local arts community.
Arts Education: Recognition of an individual who is a dedicated arts educator within San Antonio based educational institutions. This award recognizes transformational leadership in arts education through strategic planning, strong programming, and the engagement of partners to achieve common goals within the arts (education) community.
Public Leadership in the Arts: Recognition of an elected (or previously elected) official at the local level of government. This award honors an individual who is active within the community and whose advocacy efforts have significantly increased support for and public recognition of the arts in San Antonio. This individual’s vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts community in San Antonio.
Rising Star Young Artist: Special recognition to an individual under the age of 21 in the fields of film, theater, music, performing arts, literature(poetry) and the like. This award honors a “Rising Star” in San Antonio who is an emerging voice within the arts community and a trailblazer within his/her chosen artistry.
Legacy: Recognition of an individual who has made significant contributions to their field and whose work has significantly altered the arts community within San Antonio. This individual exemplifies the relationship between their artistry and its lasting impact on the community. This individual has an extensive portfolio of artistic accomplishments and maintains a level of advocacy within his/her community.
2024 ARTS & LETTERS AWARDS PRESENTED TO THREE INDIVIDUALS
On Sunday November 10, 2024, the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library hosted their 52nd annual Arts & Letters Awards.
It was a beautiful afternoon to celebrate this year’s award recipients:
Mr. Vega is San Antonio’s current Poet Laureate. He is a published poet of several books of poetry. He has received countless honors /awards for Poetry Slams. He is a prestigious teacher and performs at various schools and participates in countless community workshops.
Mr. Little has been the recipient of two national endowment awards and and Texas Artist of the Year in 2014. There are countless exhibits that have showcased his work. He has worked on pieces for zoos to event centers. He also worked as a professor of art at several universities including UTSA where he retired from.
Mrs. Patsy Pittman Light published books and contributed to others. Her work also included watercolor paintings, hand crafted pottery, silk batik scarves, lamps as well as analog photography. She was a certified SA tour guide. She also volunteered as an art teacher at the Sunshine Cottage for the Deaf and held numerous seats on various boards. Mrs. Light was not able to join us for the award ceremony and passed away shortly after the honor was bestowed on her. She is greatly missed in the arts community and beyond.
We were so thankful to all those in attendance to celebrate and honor our 2024 recipients. A special thanks to the Arts and Letters selection committee and our sponsors!
It was a beautiful afternoon to celebrate this year’s award recipients:
- Eddie Vega (Artistic Merit)
- Ken Little (Arts Education)
- Patsy Pittman Light (Legacy)
Mr. Vega is San Antonio’s current Poet Laureate. He is a published poet of several books of poetry. He has received countless honors /awards for Poetry Slams. He is a prestigious teacher and performs at various schools and participates in countless community workshops.
Mr. Little has been the recipient of two national endowment awards and and Texas Artist of the Year in 2014. There are countless exhibits that have showcased his work. He has worked on pieces for zoos to event centers. He also worked as a professor of art at several universities including UTSA where he retired from.
Mrs. Patsy Pittman Light published books and contributed to others. Her work also included watercolor paintings, hand crafted pottery, silk batik scarves, lamps as well as analog photography. She was a certified SA tour guide. She also volunteered as an art teacher at the Sunshine Cottage for the Deaf and held numerous seats on various boards. Mrs. Light was not able to join us for the award ceremony and passed away shortly after the honor was bestowed on her. She is greatly missed in the arts community and beyond.
We were so thankful to all those in attendance to celebrate and honor our 2024 recipients. A special thanks to the Arts and Letters selection committee and our sponsors!
Three Received 2023 Arts & Letters Awards
Sunday November 12, 2023, saw the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library host their 51st annual Arts & Letters Awards.
While the afternoon was cold and rainy, the celebration was full of warmth, laughter, new friends, and most importantly, recognition of artistic and cultural contributions to our wonderful city.
This year, the committee was proud to present this prestigious award to three recipients. Diana Kersey and Joe Luna were recognized in the Artistic Merit category. Diana is a ceramicist, whose work can be found across town in locations such as the Pearl, Five Points, Brackenridge Park, and San Pedro Creek. Joe is a Picasso-inspired muralist, whose work can be commissioned for any occasion. Frank Vilani was recognized in the Legacy category. Frank has had an incredible career, dedicated to fostering arts and culture in San Antonio, most recently as director of Magik Theater.
We are so thankful to all those who came to celebrate and honor the 2023 winners. Special thanks to our selection committee and our sponsors!
While the afternoon was cold and rainy, the celebration was full of warmth, laughter, new friends, and most importantly, recognition of artistic and cultural contributions to our wonderful city.
This year, the committee was proud to present this prestigious award to three recipients. Diana Kersey and Joe Luna were recognized in the Artistic Merit category. Diana is a ceramicist, whose work can be found across town in locations such as the Pearl, Five Points, Brackenridge Park, and San Pedro Creek. Joe is a Picasso-inspired muralist, whose work can be commissioned for any occasion. Frank Vilani was recognized in the Legacy category. Frank has had an incredible career, dedicated to fostering arts and culture in San Antonio, most recently as director of Magik Theater.
We are so thankful to all those who came to celebrate and honor the 2023 winners. Special thanks to our selection committee and our sponsors!
2022 Arts and Letters Awards Ceremony
ARTS & LETTERS AWARDS
First presented in 1972, the Arts and Letters Awards are presented annually by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library to recognize and celebrate achievement by individuals who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the arts and letters.
Honorees include artists, writers, musicians, educators, community leaders, and entertainers whose dedication and devotion to their chosen fields have served to enrich the cultural and spiritual life of San Antonio.
Arts and Letters Awards are managed by a Friends Award Committee. More than one award may be given. Nominations for an award may be made by any individual, must be in writing, attest to the desirability and suitability of the nominee to be considered for the award, and include supportive biographical information about the nominee.
The award recipients are:
First presented in 1972, the Arts and Letters Awards are presented annually by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library to recognize and celebrate achievement by individuals who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the arts and letters.
Honorees include artists, writers, musicians, educators, community leaders, and entertainers whose dedication and devotion to their chosen fields have served to enrich the cultural and spiritual life of San Antonio.
Arts and Letters Awards are managed by a Friends Award Committee. More than one award may be given. Nominations for an award may be made by any individual, must be in writing, attest to the desirability and suitability of the nominee to be considered for the award, and include supportive biographical information about the nominee.
The award recipients are:
|
1972 Janette Sebring Lowrey
1973 T.R. Fehrenbach 1974 Dorothy Loder 1975 John Igo 1976 Jack Kent 1977 Robert Flynn 1978 Josefina Niggli 1979 Camilla Campbell 1980 Dan H. Laurence 1981 Carmen Perry 1982 Margaret Cousins 1983 O’Neil Ford 1984 San Antonio Writers Renata Byrne Rosemary Catacalos Blair Corning Nan Cuba Olga Davis Alice Evett Mary Fisher Jean Flynn John Leeper H.M. Mason Holland McCombs Eugene McKinney Bryce Milligan Art Munoz 1985 Dr. Amy Freeman Lee 1986 Theron Kirk 1987 Maureen Halligan Ronald Ibbs 1991 Wendy Barker Mary Ann Noonan Guerra Tommy Lee Jones Garth Williams 1993 George Cisneros Naomi Shihab Nye 1994 Marion Oettinger Jr. Christopher Wilkens 1995 Everett L. Fly Jesse Trevino 1996 Harding Black Sandra Cisneros Barbara Stanush 1997 Rosita Fernandez Sterling Houston Cecelia Steinfeldt 1998 David Bowen J. Jay Max Lucado 1999 Brother Cletus Behlmann Jay Brandon Small World Polly Harrison Kyle Keener 2000 Jacques Barzun Steven Stoli 2001 William Bristow Carmen Tafolla 2002 Lewis Fairchild Fisher Mike Greenberg 2003 Lyn Belisle Maria Fisher Pfeiffer Richard Rosen |
2004 Joan Christenson
Rick Riordan Kathy Vargas 2005 Diane Gonzales Bertrand Steven G. Kellman Jamie Maverick2006 Paula Allen Ken Frazier Jasmina Wellinghoff 2007 Gini Garcia Kenneth Freudigman 2008 Cary Clack Terry Muska 2009 Dr. Felix D. Almaraz Jr Tom Masinter 2010 Diane and Rick Malone Ramon Vasquez Y. Sanchez 2011 Michael Nye Patsy Sasek Frederick Williams 2012 Brenda Kingery Florence Byham Weinberg Nancy Glass West Allan and Terri Peña Ross 2013 John A. Coleman Susan Oaks Andrew Thornton 2014 Rick Casey Cakky Brawley Dr. Richard Bruce Winders 2015 Bernice Appelin-Williams Carol Coffee Reposa Craig Sorgi Enedina Casarez Vasquez 2016 Susie Monday Bill Gundry Ansen Seale 2017 Henry Brun Bill FitzGibbons Laura Gibson 2018 Laurie Ann Guerrero Jan Jarboe Russell John Pillip Santos Clifton Tinker 2019 Fernando Esteban Flores Antoinette V. Franklin Aundar Ma'at Kathleen Trenchard 2020 Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson Terry Ybáñez Tomás Ybarra Frausto 2021 Margaret Mitchell Octavio Quintanilla Sabine Senft 2022 Matthew Martini, Rising Star Ashley Mireles, Art Education Susan Toomey Frost, Legacy Jenny Lawson, Artistic Merit M.R. “Chibbi” Orduña, Artistic Merit 2023 Diana Kersey, Artistic Merit Joe Luna, Artistic Merit Frank Villani, Legacy 2024 Patsy Pittman Light Ken Little Eduardo Vega 2025 Adriana M. Garcia for Artistic Merit Juan Miguel Ramos for Arts Education Yadhira Lozano for Public Leadership |