Deb Bruner is honored for their decades of behind-the-scenes commitment to and support of the performing arts, organizations and actors on stages across Topeka. A native Topekan, Deb’s theatre career began at the age of 13 working as backstage

crew in the darkened wings of Topeka Civic Theatre’s “Warehouse on the Levee”. Since then, they have served as designer (scenic, lighting, projection, & sound,) painter, carpenter, and/or technician for over 350 professional, educational, and community theatre productions. Their work has been seen on numerous stages throughout NE Kansas as well as in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Scotland. Currently, they serve as the Theatre Shop Manager at Washburn University and as the Production Manager and Technical Director for Shades of Theatre Company, a community theatre in Topeka dedicated to amplifying the voices of the historically underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Ballet Folklorico is recognized for their continued work to build this long-running community treasure that shares and preserves the beauty of Mexican folkloric dance, culture and heritage. Ballet Folklorico de Topeka is Justicia’s oldest ongoing arts program. Since 1976, Ballet Folklorico has worked to promote cultural dance in the Topeka community and the state of Kansas. Members of the Ballet Folklorico work on leadership skills and give back to their community by tutoring elementary students at local schools. Ballet Folklorico is affiliated with Asociación Nacional de Grupo Folkloricos, an international organization that promotes and preserves the Mexican folklore culture.

Annette Hope Billings is recognized for her immense contributions to the Midwestern literary and poetic works as well as her dedication to supporting and uplifting other artists. An award-winning poet, playwright, and actress from Topeka, Kansas, whose dynamic performance style has led fans to call her "the Maya of the Midwest". After a long career as a registered nurse, she retired in 2015 to focus on writing full-time. Annette credits artists and their art for every good and true thing in her life. Sheltered and fortified by creativity since childhood, she has survived this world's onslaughts and then gone on to thrive. Though poetry and theatre hold her most closely, art in all forms calls her by her first name. She lives to share more art with more people.

Lisa LaRue is recognized for her contributions to the music industry as an advocate for Native voices, female artists and the development of progressive rock in the US and abroad. Lisa LaRue is a Cherokee Nation composer and a progressive rock recording artist from Topeka, Kansas. She’s been recording for nearly 40 years and holds many ‘firsts’, from being the first woman signed to Natural Visions, the first to combine original music with a fine arts book, and one of the first producers of an international internet musical collaboration.  Recognized as one of the pioneers of contemporary Female Native American music by Houghton-Mifflin Encyclopedia of Women’s History, she is currently releasing her twelfth international album.

Zandra Sneed-Dawkins is recognized for her commitment to creating works of art that reflect the values and history of our community as well as her support of other visual artists as they develop their own artistic practices. Zandra is a visual artist whose work tells powerful stories that connect us to cultural roots, fostering community strength, joy, and hope. A retired Coast Guard veteran, she has called Topeka, Kansas, home for 25 years and earned her BFA in Painting and Drawing from Washburn University. Her art has been featured in prominent venues like ArtsConnect, Morris Galleries, and the Carnegie Arts Center. Recognized as an Artist INC fellow in 2023, she later became a peer facilitator for the program and was honored as a distinguished Washburn University alumnus. In 2025, Zandra led the creation of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas mural, “Community - Minded - Kansas – Rooted.” Beyond her artistry, she curates impactful exhibits and advocates for meaningful opportunities for artists to thrive and connect.

Artismo Gallery & Bistro is recognized as a space where artists of all disciplines are welcomed, encouraged and supported through gallery space, performance space and opportunities to build meaningful connections with fellow artists and audiences. Artismo Gallery & Bistro welcomes the community to enjoy a variety of creative activities from painting to poetry to live music. From the gallery to the stage, Artismo Gallery & Bistro provides a reliable access point for artists from all disciplines and is an accommodating host for established artists. By offering an open and inclusive environment where both Topekans and visitors can explore and appreciate art in all its forms, Artismo is a space for artists and misfits that is by the community and for the community.

The Way of Light Community Choir was recognized for their performance of “The Way of Light” spoken word operetta in May of 2024. This group of dedicated individuals worked tirelessly to bring to life a spoken word operetta entitled “The Way of Light” which was part of the 70th anniversary commemoration of Brown v. Board. More than 30 people strong, the choir was made up of regular Topekans, most of whom had little or no experience on stage. They brought to life a new work of performance art that was technically complex and told an important story – eventually performed in front of a full house at White Concert Hall. The dedication, kindness, flexibility and hard work that they brought to this effort was exceptional in every way. The operetta was co-written by vanessa german, Angel Haze and August Hartley. Thank you to the members of the choir for their hard work and dedication: Annette Billings, Deborah Dawkins, Alice Eberhart-Wright, Bridget Elmer, Andrew Fields, Emily Fincher, Tonya Fisher, Harvey Leroy Flowers, J'Quory Guest, Lesley Hayward, SJ Hazim, Leonese Heath-Shobe, Karen Hiller, Laurie Jackson, Stacy Jeffress, Imani Johnson, Jean MacLeay, Jontea Marie, Virginia Mendoza, Valerie Mendoza, Susan Schmitz, Kim Scott, Tamika Sellars, Cyane Shipley, LA Talbert, Carlos Velez, Dr. Tara D. Wallace, Ana Wilkins and Jim Williams.