By Marshall A. Latimore

The Hammonds House Museum will host the inaugural Hammonds House Honors, an evening of celebration and recognition of excellence in Black visual art.

This mission of the Hammonds House Museum is to preserve, exhibit, interpret and increase public awareness about the contributions that visual artists of African descent have made to world culture. Artistic excellence, culture and community are the focus of its vision.

The event will remember iconoclast photographer Roy DeCarava on the 100th anniversary of his birth, as well as honor seven individuals who elevate the visual art of the African Diaspora through their passion, creativity and commitment to artistic and cultural excellence.

The 2019 Hammonds House Honors will take place on Sept. 12 at Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road SW, Atlanta. Tickets are available at hammondshouse.org/events. The evening will kick off with a cocktail reception at 6:15 pm, followed by the award show at 7:30 p.m. Monica Pearson and Lamman Rucker will serve as hosts.

“We are excited about Hammonds House Honors,” said Leatrice Ellzy, executive director of Hammonds House Museum. “It’s a signature event that perfectly aligns with our mission and enables us to elevate black visual culture.

“Equally important, the event provides us with a rare opportunity to recognize and celebrate the artists, curators, arts professionals and donors who drive the cultural ecosystem with rigor and intention,” she added. “The proceeds from Hammonds House Honors will help us continue to present the great art, thought-provoking public programs, and cultural and educational programming our audiences expect.”

Honorees for the Lifetime Achievement Award and O.T. Hammonds Philanthropy in the Arts Award were selected in advance, but honorees in the other five categories will be announced during the award show.

Emerging Artist Award: Presented to an emerging talent who has achieved notable accomplishments while still early in their career.

• Adrianna Kaya Clark
• Travis Love
• Zora Murff
• Stacy Lynn Waddell

Creators Award: Presented to an artist who creates at the intersection of pop culture and the remix. They create or present visual imagery through non-traditional avenues, are commercially viable, and introduce new generations to Black visual art.

• Miya Bailey
• Chilly-O
• Melissa Mitchell
• Toni Williams
• Dubelyoo Wright

Artistic Excellence Award: Awarded to an artist whose creative and superior accomplishments in the arts have elevated Black visual arts, improved the cultural vitality of the form, and have had a profound and lasting effect on the culture.

• Sheila Pree Bright
• Jerushia Graham
• Lonnie Holley

Curatorial Excellence Award: Awarded to a curator who animates public discourse, offers innovative approaches in the presentation of art, elevates public understanding and advances the field through their work. This individual may be with an institution or independent.

• Gia Hamilton
• Faron Manuel
• Jamaal Sheats

Spriggs-Fuller Award for Arts Leadership: The award recognizes individuals or organizations who enhance and strengthen the cultural community by curating, producing, exhibiting and advocating for artistic excellence in black visual art. This award is named in honor of Ed Spriggs, Founder and first Executive Director of Hammonds House Museum and Myrna Fuller, Executive Director of Hammonds House Museum from 2004-2017.

• Jontyle Theresa Robinson, Ph.D.
• Mary Schmidt-Campbell
• Franklin Sirmans

Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree: Tina M. Dunkley
Presented to a nationally recognized and established artist, curator, arts professional or scholar with a lifetime of exemplary artistic accomplishment and significant contribution to the field.

O.T. Hammonds Philanthropy in the Arts Award Honoree: Vicki and John Palmer
Presented to an individual, family or collective with a demonstrable history of philanthropic giving or patronage to visual arts institutions, artists or independent projects.

This article originally appeared in The Atlanta Voice. 

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