Arts Advocate: Susan Craig, Lawrence

Susan Craig is the art librarian at the University of Kansas Art and Architecture Library. Working on her own time and initiative, and in addition to her responsibilities as art librarian, Ms. Craig compiled the Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists, which details the lives of artists born or working in Kansas before 1945. The dictionary includes more than 3,400 artists to date. As the only work of its kind, the Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists is the seminal reference for researchers nationwide on Kansas artists.

Artist: Elliott Pujol, Manhattan

A metalsmith with a 35-year history as a skilled craftsman, Elliott Pujol is recognized as one of the most important metalsmiths working in the United States. With over 200 exhibitions and 18 solo exhibitions to his name, he was chosen the Master Metalsmith in 2005 by the National Ornamental Museum in Tennessee, and was selected as an Outstanding American Craftsman in 2004 by the National Endowment for the Arts. As a metals professor at Kansas State University, he publishes extensively on metalsmithing and craftsmanship, tirelessly teaches students, guides the metals program and serves as an integral member of the university community.

Artist: Kevin Willmott, Lawrence

Kevin Willmott is recognized nationally as an artist who produces innovative films with stories that stir and challenge viewers. With Kansas and Kansas history central to his films, Mr. Willmott’s vision is not only to document and educate, but to challenge and promote thought while including Kansans and Kansas communities in the making of his work. His films have been seen at the Sundance Film Festival as well as many other film festivals and have received numerous accolades and recognition. Films by Mr. Willmott include The Only Good Indian, Bunker Hill, C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America and Ninth Street.

Arts in Education: Doug Talley, Shawnee Mission

Jazz composer, performer and music educator working in the Shawnee Mission School District, Doug Talley has had an award-winning 25-year career teaching jazz, mentoring students, and developing the talent of young Kansas musicians. Using an innovative curriculum that begins in middle school, he encourages students playing any instrument to improvise, experience and create authentic jazz compositions. Integrated into his classes are student “Jam Sessions,” an approach so unique and remarkable in developing jazz performance skills that it was recognized with a profile in Midwest Jazz magazine. Mr. Talley’s teaching creates new audiences, develops confident performers and nurtures the talent of Kansas youth by encouraging the expression of their individual, unique creativity through music.

Arts Organization: Emporia Arts Council, Emporia

Since 1976, the Emporia Arts Council has presented an extraordinary annual performance series featuring artists of national and international prominence. The series, now in its 34th season, presents artists such as the Vienna Boys Choir, The Oakland Ballet and George Winston. Through a partnership with the Emporia Library, the Emporia Arts Council offers a summer concert series, children’s arts programs, art exhibitions and contests. Most recently, the Arts Council ran a successful capital campaign and has begun construction on a new 15,000 square foot building to support its continued growth and achievements in developing an arts and entertainment district in the Emporia community.

Arts Community: City of Hays

Driven by a fierce sense of collaboration, mutual respect and community service in the arts, the people of Hays have dedicated resources, leadership and old-fashioned people power to support the arts and develop arts-based partnerships that permeate the community. For over 100 years, the arts have played an integral part in Hays. The Hays Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1914; the Hays Arts Council was formed in 1966, and the people of Hays have benefited from longtime cultural partnerships with Fort Hays State University. Hays is host to a flourishing arts community that includes studios and galleries, exhibition spaces, arts-related businesses, a strings academy, multiple dance studios, gallery walks, public art, community concerts, cultural festivals, annual art competitions and more.