Hammonds House Museum presented the inaugural Hammonds House Honors on September 12 at Southwest Arts Center. A video tribute to iconoclast photographer Roy DeCarava kicked off the awards show. During the evening, nine individuals who elevate the visual art of the African Diaspora through their passion, creativity and commitment to artistic and cultural excellence, were honored. Media legend Monica Pearson hosted the event. Entertainment for the festive occasion was provided by singer Julie Dexter accompanied by keyboardist Michael Murani; music by DJ Salah Ananse, and a performance by poet Adán Bean with harpist Rayvin Brown.

“It was an extraordinary evening of celebration and camaraderie for the Atlanta arts community,” states Leatrice Ellzy, Executive Director of Hammonds House Museum. “This new signature event 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 leaders and donors who drive the cultural ecosystem.”

Here are the winners and honorees for this year’s Hammonds House Honors:

Emerging Artist Award: Stacy Lynn Waddell

Award presented by: artist Shanequa Gay

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

Creators Award: Dubelyoo Wright

Award presented by: artist D. L. Warfield

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.

Social Justice and Activism Award: Fabian Williams

Award presented by: artist Fahamu Pecou – via satellite from Paris, France

This special award was given this year because of the artist’s Kaeperbowl mural campaign which focused on Colin Kaepernick and his activism around injustice during Superbowl Weekend in Atlanta.

Artistic Excellence Award: Sheila Pree Bright

Award presented by: artist and curator Kevin Sipp

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 had a profound and lasting effect on the culture.

Curatorial Excellence Award: Faron Manuel

Award presented by: curator Karen Comer Lowe

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.

Spriggs-Fuller Award for Arts Leadership: Franklin Sirmans

Award presented by: arts leader Camille Russell Love

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.

Vanguard Award: Halima Taha

Award presented by: arts leader Leatrice Ellzy

This special award was given to Halima Taha for her contributions in bringing exposure to Black artists and their work in significant ways as a consultant, gallery owner, educator and author. 20 years ago, Taha released Collecting African American Art: Works on Paper and Canvas. This was the first book to validate collecting painting, photography and prints by African American Artists as a viable asset. Over the next 20 years, her book became the primary driving force, in conjunction with the National Black Fine Art Show, for Swann Galleries to establish the first African American auction category in the world.

Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree: Tina M. Dunkley

Award presented by: curator Dr. Pellom McDaniels, III

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

Award presented by: gallery owner and arts patron, Jea Delsarte

Presented to an individual, family or collective with a demonstrable history of philanthropic giving or patronage to visual arts institutions, artists or independent projects.

Hammonds House Museum is generously supported by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture, City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition, Georgia-Pacific, National Performance Network, Visual Artists Network, Wells Fargo, and the Lubo Fund.