The Greater Augusta Arts Council has announced the recipients of the 2026 Augusta Annual Arts Awards.
An evening dedicated to celebrating the artists, advocates, organizations, educators, visionaries, and creative leaders who shape the cultural heartbeat of our city will be June 19 at the St. Paul’s River Room.
From visual arts and performance to fashion, culinary arts, education, preservation, media, and public art, we want to ensure the many disciplines that contribute to our city’s creative identity are recognized and celebrated with intention, according to a news release.
The arts council will honor Scott Seidl, the artistic and executive director of the Augusta Players who died in November, in a unique and special way.
“Scott, whose leadership and dedication impacted so many throughout our community, will be posthumously recognized with the Visionary Leadership Award in its second year, an honor created to celebrate transformative leadership and lasting impact within Augusta’s creative community,” the news release said.
The 2026 Augusta Annual Arts Awards recipients are:
• President’s Award(s)- Dennis Skelley & David Peltier
• Visionary Leadership Award – Scott Seidl, posthumously honored for his visionary leadership
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Audrey Sala Adenike Jeter-Allen, Multi-Disciplinary Artist
• Visual Artist – Gerry O’Meara, 3D Artist
• Arts Entertainment – Dirk Meyer, Augusta Symphony
• Fashion – Felina Martin, Pamoja na
• Literary Arts – Cheryl Corbin, Author
• History & Preservation – Ransom Schwerzler (Meadow Garden Historic House)
• Arts Educator – Raoul Pacheco, Augusta University
• Culinary Arts – Charlotte & Thomas Hill, Maryland’s Catering
• Arts Volunteer – Keelyn Sleeper
• Arts Media – Frame by Frame by WJBF
• Arts Sponsor – Second City Distillery
• Kath Girdler Engler Public Art Award – Emily Bender, Visual Artist
• Arts Nonprofit – Phinizy Nature Park
• Digital Design & Photography – Amy Callan, M3 Agency
• Emerging Artist – Seth Prior
The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. with entertainment by JaVonne Jones. Tickets are $65 for members and $70 for the general public. Go here.
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