2023 Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards
Monday, October 2, 2023
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Olin Hall Galleries
Roanoke College Campus
240 High Street (Maxey Way), Salem, VA
2023 nominees and winners will be recognized
during the event program and reception.
Please RSVP by Friday, September 26!
The 2023 Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards Nominees
Monique Duncan
Monique Duncan is a professional photographer whose art focuses on the unusual, the bizarre, and the historic. Her portraits of young women in dark, deserted, and decaying houses and other structures that were once grand have earned a considerable following in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. As this artist continues to evolve, Monique Duncan breaks rules, shatters norms, and creates tangible art with her camera and her extraordinary storytelling capacity.
Virginia and Shields Jarrett
Virginia Jarrett and the late Shields Jarrett have supported the arts communities in Virginia’s Blue Ridge for many years. As co-founder of the Roanoke Women’s Foundation, Virginia has enabled others to understand and invest deeply in the arts in the greater Roanoke Valley. Shields interviewed and explored various artists in the community, from visual artists, culinary artists, sculptors, etc. Through his writing, he brought awareness to and inspired patronage of their craft.
Scott Kitts
Scott Kitts is an unsung hero to many in the arts community of Roanoke. He has made donations of his art to various foundations and charitable organizations. He also hosts a multitude of Roanoke artists who show art within his business without taking a commission from their sales. He supports art, musical, and theatrical productions and is a member of the League of Roanoke Artists as well as other organizations.
Michael Mansfield
Michael Mansfield is a director, actor, guest artist and designer, and teacher whose talents have been experienced by every theatre in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, from the Hollins Playwright’s Lab MFA program, Little Town Players, Mill Mountain Theatre, Off the Rails Theatre, Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Roanoke Children’s Theatre, and Showtimers, among others.
Tom and Mary Evelyn Tielking
Tom and Mary Evelyn Tielking have provided outstanding philanthropic support to numerous arts and cultural organizations in the greater Roanoke Valley for nearly a quarter century, including Carilion’s Artist in Residence program, which Tom helped initiate, the Grandin Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, and Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, among many more! They even participated in a recent Buzz4Good “Healing Arts” episode advocating the important role the arts play in health care.
Roanoke College and Hollins University are dedicated to providing students with the finest arts and cultural learning experiences. From artist residencies, gallery programs, live theatre productions, music concerts, creative writing activities, and film projects, students are exposed to amazing faculty and professional artists of all disciplines. To enhance learning and build upon these unique campus offerings, both Hollins and Roanoke have actively sought ways for students to experience the rich and vibrant Virginia’s Blue Ridge* arts and cultural community.
In 2013 the Perry F. Kendig Awards, an annual program that has recognized excellence in arts and culture for more than 25 years, found itself without a home. Roanoke College and Hollins University came together to keep the tradition alive in appreciation of Virginia’s Blue Ridge cultural community resources. In addition, Hollins and Roanoke hope that in presenting this annual program it will build an even stronger arts and cultural bridge between the campus environment and community at large.
Award Categories
One award will be presented in each category only (for a total of three (3) awards).
- Individual Artist (of all disciplines – dance, literature, music, media arts, visual arts, and theatre)
- Arts and/or Cultural Organization
- Individual or Business Arts Supporter
Please see the FAQ section for more information on the nomination process.
*Roanoke Regional Chamber defines Virginia’s Blue Ridge as the counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke, and the cities of Salem, Roanoke, and the Town of Vinton.
Important Note
The Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards is a programmatic offering between Roanoke College and Hollins University since 2013. Past Perry F. Kendig Awards recipients from 1985-2012 are eligible for consideration – see complete lists:
Kendig Award Recipients from 1985-2012
Kendig Award Nominees Winners 2013 to present
Programs and full-time employees of Roanoke College and Hollins University are eligible to be nominated.
Deadline for Nominations
The deadline for 2023 nominees is Thursday, August 31 by 4 p.m. (EDT). All nominations with at least two required supporting documents must be received by the deadline to qualify as a nominee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.) Are supporting materials important to include along with my nomination form?
A.) Yes, at least two supporting letters/documents are required; any additional information will help the review committee learn more about your nominee and why you feel they should be selected as a recipient of an award. We highly recommend including samples or links to work, especially for visual artists.
Q.) How are nominations evaluated?
A.) The review committee will evaluate nominations through the lens of three core categories:
- Leadership contributions (i.e., advocacy, education, formal leadership roles, development of the arts community);
- Patronage (i.e., participation and/or financial support); and
- Overall body of work and involvement in the local arts community.
A strong nomination provides examples or evidence to support excellence in the above listed categories. Two letters in support of the nomination are required and examples of work (especially for visual artists) are encouraged to supplement the basic nomination form.
Q.) How are review committee members selected?
A.) Roanoke College and Hollins University have selected faculty with expertise in arts and culture along with community supporters. In addition, past year’s recipients will also serve on the committee to ensure a comprehensive scope and understanding of arts and culture in the greater Roanoke region.
Q.) Where will the Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards ceremony take place?
A.) The awards will alternate between Roanoke College and Hollins University. The 2023 awards presentation will take place on October 2, 2023 at Roanoke College, with more details to come.
Q.) The organization/individual I want to nominate was a past recipient of a Perry F. Kendig Award. Are they eligible?
A.) Yes. As of 2013, and the new collaboration and programmatic offering between Roanoke College and Hollins University, only past recipients during 1985 and 2012 are eligible moving forward.