The City of Lawrence on Tuesday announced the 2025 Phoenix Award recipients, whose “creativity, service, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the arts in Lawrence.”
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission invites nominations for the awards every two years. They’re to honor “remarkable artistic contributions within our community,” according to a news release from the city.
Among awardees this year is Walt Hull, a local blacksmith who has shaped functional works of art all over Lawrence. He was nominated for Exceptional Artistic Achievement by Tom Harper, who also recently wrote a column sharing Hull’s story for this publication. (Read the column at this link.)
Another awardee is Jen Unekis, nominated as a Volunteer in the Arts 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.
Here are the other 2025 awardees:
• Rachael Lackey – Advocate for Indigenous Artists and Makers
Nominated by Monique Mercurio, Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission
• Mark Cowardin – Exceptional Artistic Achievement – Artist and Educator
Nominated by Tim Metz, Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission
• Brandon Eisman | Deja Brooks – Drag Artist
Nominated by Daniel B. Smith, Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission
• Nick Carswell – Musical Arts and Advocacy
Nominated by Richard Renner
The commission received 13 nominations this year, according to the release.
“Selecting only six awardees was both an honor, and a challenge, because so many individuals are contributing in inspiring ways,” according to the release.
The recipients will be given their awards during a ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, during the second day of the Winter Inclusive Market. It’s free to attend and all are welcome.
Each awardee will receive a Phoenix Award sculpture handcrafted by local artist C. Bryan Young, according to the release.
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