More supportive spaces for Native American youth to grow in the arts and entrepreneurship are always needed, Rachael Lackey said.
Lackey, citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, was one of six locals honored with a 2025 Phoenix Award at a ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Lied Center.
As USDA Extension Program coordinator at Haskell Indian Nations University, Lackey organizes programming for students that is often open to the general public, such as sewing workshops and an annual bison harvest and cookout.
An alum of Haskell, she paid respects to a few of her mentors, namely professor and scholar Daniel Wildcat and Interim President Mackie Moore.
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Lackey was recognized for advocacy for Indigenous artists and makers.
Christopher Erazo, owner of Brown Boy Media, had interviewed and created a video highlighting each awardee.
“I think one of the biggest things is the Native American population in the United States is less than 1%, and a lot of us constitute us as the invisible race,” Lackey said in her video interview with Brown Boy Media. “And I want to make sure that people understand that we are still very much here.”
Nearly 80 people attended the ceremony on Sunday, which marked the 25th Phoenix Awards. The biannual award celebrates “remarkable artistic contributions within our community,” according to a city news release.
Winners are nominated by community members — Lackey was nominated by Moniqué Mercurio, for example — and selected by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, a city advisory board. There were 13 nominees this year, and three of the six winners were nominated by LCAC members.
This year was the first the ceremony was held at the Lied Center and in partnership with the Winter Inclusive Market, happening simultaneously in the building.
Derek Kwan, executive director of the Lied Center, called the Phoenix Award recipients and those alike the “unsung, incredible heroes.” He also thanked Mercurio for facilitating the new collaboration with the Winter Inclusive Market, which aims to keep local dollars local.
“I always emphasize to folks that the arts are just as much of a business as any other industry,” Kwan said.
In addition to Lackey, five more recipients were recognized, and each was given artwork by Lawrence artist C. Bryan Young.
• Brandon Eisman, who performs as Lawrence drag artist Deja Brooks, was presented with the 2025 Phoenix Award for Artistry and the “heartfelt community leadership that Deja Brooks embodies,” said Daniel B. Smith, who nominated Eisman and emceed the ceremony.
Brooks frequently appears at community events and fundraisers and has led Deja’s Reading Rainbow, a storytime for all ages, at the Lawrence Public Library.
• Walt Hull, a local blacksmith who has shaped functional works of art all over Lawrence, was given the 2025 Phoenix Award for Exceptional Artistic Achievement.
Hull was nominated by Tom Harper, who also recently wrote a column sharing Hull’s story for this publication. (Read more at this link.)
• Jen Unekis, who’s been a member of the Lawrence Art Guild for 30 years, was given the award for volunteerism in the arts. She was nominated by Roura Young and Janet-Lynn Zuk.
Among Unekis’ contributions to the community are serving as part of a small team that maintains the Pinkney tunnel; read more about that at this link.
• Mark Cowardin, sculptor, painter and educator, was given the award for Exceptional Artistic Achievement – Artist and Educator.
Tim Metz nominated Cowardin for his creative works and mentorship of students. Cowardin is a professor at Johnson County Community College and is an artist-in-residence with Tallgrass Artist Residency.
• Nick Carswell, musician, host of 105 Live on Kansas Public Radio, and director of the Lawrence Music Alliance, was presented with the award for Musical Arts and Advocacy.
Richard Renner, a 2023 award recipient himself, nominated Carswell for his dedication to strengthening artistic collaboration in Lawrence and across the region.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Molly Adams (she/her), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2022. She can be reached at molly@lawrencekstimes.com.
Check out more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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