Six art educators were recognized and honored Tuesday night at the 14th annual Arts in Education Awards at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. The event, presented by the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas, celebrated the critical role arts education plays in the community.

“Young Audiences of Northeast Texas Arts in Education Awards is a magical night,” said Tasha Prescott, executive director of Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. “It’s more than just another event, it’s a celebration of the incredible impact arts educators have on students, schools and communities. This event brings people together to honor fine arts teachers, community leaders, and visionaries who shape lives through creativity, compassion and courage.”

Young Audiences of Northeast Texas is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through the arts, serving 17 counties surrounding Tyler with programs that fill in the gaps for public school arts education from kindergarten through 12th grade. It also offers afterschool and summer programs.

“We believe every child deserves that opportunity,” Prescott said. “As a nonprofit we are committed to making arts education accessible to all students and are only able to do this through the help of the community. Together we can assure that the arts continue to light the way for future generations. This event highlights just how important and impactful that work is.”

With 170 people in attendance, the evening served as a reminder of the critical role arts education plays, not only within the community but also in the development and growth of students.

“There’s a million reasons why the arts are so important in schools,” said Tisa Weiss Hibbs, president of the board of directors for the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. “It’s why many kids want to go to school. We’ve seen that a child is five times more likely to stay in school and graduate if they’re involved in at least one art. It also enhances test scores, it builds teamwork skills, it builds critical thinking skills… other than academics, arts are a vital component of education.”

The honorees include:

  • Jessica Parsons of Crockett Elementary in Marshall ISD for the Rising Star Award, which recognizes an arts educator demonstrating excellence in his or her first 3 years of teaching;
  • Laura Hogan of Brown Elementary in Whitehouse ISD for the Arts Teaching Excellence Elementary, which is awarded to an elementary arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field;
  • Shannon Rios of Tenaha Middle School in Tenaha ISD for the Arts Teaching Excellence Middle, which is awarded to a middle school arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field;
  • Elizabeth Lade of Frankston High School in Frankston ISD for the Arts Teaching Excellence High School, which recognizes a high school arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field;
  • Franklin Kimlicko of Tyler Junior College (TJC) for the Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an educator who has dedicated his or her life to arts education; and
  • Dr. Sasha Vukelja, also known as ‘Dr. V’, of Tyler for the ICON Award, which is given to a community member whose extraordinary contributions transcend traditional boundaries, impacting both the education and the broader community through artistic endeavors.

“I think sometimes the art teachers don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Hibbs said. “It’s important that we honor them and let them know just how valuable they are to the kids.”

For the educators, the nomination alone is an honor but to see their efforts awarded was special.

“No matter the content or role, I love being used to develop children into amazing people,” said Laura Hogan, Arts Teaching Excellence Elementary winner from Brown Elementary of Whitehouse ISD. “I love being a part of their little lives and helping to mold their hearts and minds. I get to do this daily through art. Art is not just a subject area, but a gift we give our students.”

The healing power of art

As a renowned oncologist who escaped war-torn Yugoslavia at 11 years old with her mother, Vukelja has dedicated her life to healing and the arts. She established chemotherapy spaces into art galleries, filling them with music and her mother’s artwork to inspire patients.

Dr. Sasha Vukelja - also known as "Dr. V" - was the recipient of the Arts in Education Award. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Dr. Sasha Vukelja — also known as “Dr. V” — was the recipient of the Arts in Education Award. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

“Art is very important,” she said. “Art is medicine, medicine is art. It’s used for mental health, it connects people… there’s no language barrier in art.”

Seeing herself as ‘rewired’ and not ‘retired,’ Vukelja spends her days focusing on art as medicine and community impact by continuing to provide medical care and helping transform the Gentry Parkway underpass, where people experiencing homelessness often gather, including for Hunger For Love’s Church Under the Bridge.

“I think art is a gift that God gives us and we need to share it — it connects our souls,” she said. “Under the bridge, we paint every column — all the murals because, as I’ve told my homeless people, ‘this is your home. You’re homeless but this is still your home; let’s make it beautiful.’”

Frank Kimlick, Professor of Music at Tyler Junior College, received the Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement Award. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Frank Kimlick, Professor of Music at Tyler Junior College, received the Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement Award. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

A lifetime of teaching

At 85 years old, Kimlicko has spent decades shaping generations of musicians at TJC, estimating his influence has reached over 3,000 students since 1972.

“I learn from the students every day,” he said. “I’m supposed to be teaching them but every day they enrich me. Art brings out our humanity and it’s so important to have. And receiving this award just warms my heart and such a huge honor. It’s just wonderful.”

Nominate an inspiring educator of arts

Anyone can nominate a candidate for the Arts in Education Awards. Nominators complete a simple form, providing the nominee’s name, a brief explanation for the nomination, and basic contact information. Afterward, the nominee is contacted and asked to submit a portfolio of their work. Visual artists may provide photos of students’ artwork, while music teachers or composers may submit recordings or other relevant materials. A committee of teachers and artists then reviews the nominations and selects the award recipients. The only exception is the ICON Award, which is chosen by the board of directors.

The organization will soon be accepting nominations for next year’s Arts in Education Awards. Visit their website for more information: yanetexas.org/arts-in-education-awards.

Tisa Weiss Hibbs, President of the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas, recognized the sponsors of the annual Arts in Education Awards. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Tisa Weiss Hibbs, President of the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas, recognized the sponsors of the annual Arts in Education Awards. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

“Creativity is the ‘hot thing,’” Hibbs said. “It used to be tech or engineering, now it’s creativity, and they’re not going to develop their creativity if they don’t have arts teachers in their lives to encourage them and instruct them. It’s very valuable to have kids in our public school systems to have teachers that pour creativity into them. We need them.”

— Scott can be reached at jscott@tylerpaper.com

Multimedia Reporter

Multimedia reporter and animal lover on the education beat. I am an Alabama native with a bachelor's in journalism from Troy University. I've been married to my college sweetheart since 2012, and we have enjoyed living in East Texas since moving up from the Houston area in 2021. We love all things Disney and dogs!

Please send me story ideas or questions to jennifer.scott@tylerpaper.com.