ARTS HEROES
Artist image

Recognizing Connecticut's Arts Heroes

Established in 2016, the Connecticut Arts Hero Awards honor and celebrate Connecticut residents who are doing inspiring things for the arts.

The latest recipients were celebrated at Infinity Hall in Hartford. Each one received a Small State, Big Heart, Great Art framed print created by Hartford Prints! for the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE 2022 AWARDS CEREMONY

Email any of our staff members to learn more about this award.
2023 Awardees
Gabbie Barnes Picture
Gabbie Barnes, Hartford
Gabbie is a multicultural dreamer living, working, surviving, and sometimes thriving in the Hartbeat: Hartford, CT.
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Marcella Monk Flake Picture
Marcella Monk Flake, New Haven
Marcella has over 37 years of teaching experience, with most of her career dedicated to students in New Haven’s Talented and Gifted Program.
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Suzanne Gaskell Picture
Suzanne Gaskell, Lyme
Suzanne has taught photography, drawing, printmaking and more as a member of the Daniel Hand High School Art Department in Madison for over twenty years.
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Amanda Hanzlik Picture
Amanda Hanzlik, Storrs
Amanda is the Director of Choral Activities at Edwin O. Smith High School in Storrs and will serve as President of the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region from 2024-2026.
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Stephanie Ingrassia Picture
Stephanie Ingrassia, Washington
Stephanie founded Spring Hill Vineyards with her husband Tim in 2006.
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Deborah Tosun Kilday Picture
Deborah Tosun Kilday, Wolcott
Debbie is a new generation Beat Poet, published author, writer, nature photographer, illustrator and artist.
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Philip Michalowski Picture
Philip Michalowski, New London
Phil is a municipal planner and development administrator who has lived in New London for over 50 years.
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Duvian Montoya Picture
Duvian Montoya, Easton
Duvian is an artist, muralist, studio manager, curator, and community organizer.
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Austin Scelzo Picture
Austin Scelzo, Danbury
Austin is a teacher, musician, and Bluegrass community advocate.
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Connecticut Arts Heroes

2022 Awardees
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Sosse Baker, Chester
Matt Conway, East Granby
Kevin Diaz, New Haven
Jim Felice, Ridgefield
Bill Geddes, Woodbury
Maricarmen Godoy, Norwalk
Cristin Rivera, Niantic
Stewart Wilson, New Hartford

View Bios>

<p>Sosse Baker, Chester<br /> Matt Conway, East Granby<br /> Kevin Diaz, New Haven<br /> Jim Felice, Ridgefield<br /> Bill Geddes, Woodbury<br /> Maricarmen Godoy, Norwalk<br /> Cristin Rivera, Niantic<br /> Stewart Wilson, New Hartford</p> <p><a href="/decdartsportal/knowledge-base/articles/honors-and-honorees/arts-heroes/2022/art-awardees">View Bios&gt;</a></p>
2021 Awardees
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Jasmine Agosto, Hartford
Andrew Camacho, New London
Shelby Davis, Waterbury
Marti Etter, Stamford
Kerry Kincy, Middletown
Angaza and Effie Mwando, Torrington
Daniel L. Sikora, Ridgefield
Kim Weston, Guilford

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<p>Jasmine Agosto, Hartford<br /> Andrew Camacho, New London<br /> Shelby Davis, Waterbury<br /> Marti Etter, Stamford<br /> Kerry Kincy, Middletown<br /> Angaza and Effie Mwando, Torrington<br /> Daniel L. Sikora, Ridgefield<br /> Kim Weston, Guilford</p> <p><a href="/decdartsportal/knowledge-base/articles/honors-and-honorees/arts-heroes/2021/2021-awardees">View Bios&gt;</a></p> <br class="t-last-br" />
2020 Awardees
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Brian Cohen, Chaplin
Semina De Laurentis, Torrington
Lucy Gellman, New Haven
Edward Lent, Guilford
Marilyn Malcarne, Deep River
Terry Starks, Hartford
JoAnne Torti, Bethlehem
Brian Walters, Bethel
Derron Wood, New London

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<p>Brian Cohen, Chaplin<br /> Semina De Laurentis, Torrington<br /> Lucy Gellman, New Haven<br /> Edward Lent, Guilford<br /> Marilyn Malcarne, Deep River<br /> Terry Starks, Hartford<br /> JoAnne Torti, Bethlehem<br /> Brian Walters, Bethel<br /> Derron Wood, New London</p> <p><a href="/decdartsportal/knowledge-base/articles/honors-and-honorees/arts-heroes/2020">View Bios&gt;</a></p>
2019 Awardees
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Andrea Aron, Madison
Rebecca Atkins, Norwich
Chris Belden, Ridgefield
Bill Dougal, Lebanon
Jason Farquharson, Hartford
Judith McElhone, Torrington
Luciana McClure, Hamden
Rene Soto, Norwalk
Chase Taylor, Waterbury

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<p>Andrea Aron, Madison<br /> Rebecca Atkins, Norwich<br /> Chris Belden, Ridgefield<br /> Bill Dougal, Lebanon<br /> Jason Farquharson, Hartford<br /> Judith McElhone, Torrington<br /> Luciana McClure, Hamden<br /> Rene Soto, Norwalk<br /> Chase Taylor, Waterbury</p> <p><a href="/decdartsportal/knowledge-base/articles/honors-and-honorees/arts-heroes/2019/2019-connecticut-arts-heroes">View Bios&gt;</a></p>
2018 Awardees
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Kim Stroud, Madison
Shanna Melton, Bridgeport
Calida Jones, Hartford
Dr. Jose Gonzalez, Quaker Hill
Mark Aldrich, Newtown
Leslie Elias, West Cornwall
Elizabeth Morgan, Middletown
Mohamad Hafez, New Haven
Kerri Quirk, Willimantic

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<p>Kim Stroud, Madison<br /> Shanna Melton, Bridgeport<br /> Calida Jones, Hartford<br /> Dr. Jose Gonzalez, Quaker Hill<br /> Mark Aldrich, Newtown<br /> Leslie Elias, West Cornwall<br /> Elizabeth Morgan, Middletown<br /> Mohamad Hafez, New Haven<br /> Kerri Quirk, Willimantic</p> <p><a href="/decdartsportal/knowledge-base/articles/honors-and-honorees/arts-heroes/2018/2018-connecticut-arts-heroes">View Bios&gt;</a></p>
2017 Awardees
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Adam Atkins, Winsted
Bruce John, Willimantic
Suzanne Kachmar, Bridgeport
Lynnette Letsky Piombo, Waterbury
Wendy Black-Nasta
Dayna Snell, New Britain
Allison Stockel, Ridgefield
Joy Supples, Groton

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<p>Adam Atkins, Winsted<br /> Bruce John, Willimantic<br /> Suzanne Kachmar, Bridgeport<br /> Lynnette Letsky Piombo, Waterbury<br /> Wendy Black-Nasta<br /> Dayna Snell, New Britain<br /> Allison Stockel, Ridgefield<br /> Joy Supples, Groton</p> <p><a href="/decdartsportal/knowledge-base/articles/honors-and-honorees/arts-heroes/2017/2017-connecticut-arts-heroes">View Bios&gt;</a></p>
2016 Awardee
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Lourdes "Lu" Rivera

The first Arts Hero Award was presented in 2016 to the Connecticut Office of the Art’s grant administrator, Lourdes "Lu" Rivera, who has worked in the state's arts office, through its many name changes and merges, for over 25 years. In 2018, she celebrated her 30-year anniversary with the Arts office.

<p>Lourdes "Lu" Rivera</p> <p>The first Arts Hero Award was presented in 2016 to the Connecticut Office of the Art&rsquo;s grant administrator, Lourdes "Lu" Rivera, who has worked in the state's arts office, through its many name changes and merges, for over 25 years. In 2018, she celebrated her 30-year anniversary with the Arts office.</p>