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Spark Awards

Spark Awards2026-10-14T12:18:05-04:00

SPARK AWARDS

October 6, 2026 | 4 — 7 pm | The Barrel Factory

The Spark Awards, presented by Arts Services Inc., celebrate the artists, organizations, educators, advocates, and creative leaders whose work strengthens Western New York’s arts and cultural community. Through an open nomination process reviewed by a panel of industry peers, the awards recognize outstanding creativity, leadership, collaboration, and community impact across Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the 2026 Spark Awards! Check back here for updates on our next Spark Awards. In the meantime, explore past awardees, event sponsors, and more below.

2026 SPARK AWARDEES

Administrator of the Year

  • Emily Ebba Reynolds – Winner

  • Parrish Gibbons – Finalist

  • Cassandra Lippert – Finalist

Artist of the Year

  • Freddie Knight – Winner

  • A.J. Fries – Finalist

  • Soda – Finalist

Organization of the Year

  • Stitch Buffalo – Winner

  • Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology – Finalist

  • Springville Center for the Arts – Finalist

Arts Educator

  • Drew Burke

  • Lucy Andrus – Honorable Mention

Arts Integration

  • Arts for Learning

Community Organizer

  • Janna Willoughby-Lohr

  • Leslie Calimeri – Honorable Mention

Impactful Programming

  • Cynthia Pegado

  • Youth In The Center (YITC) Foundation, Inc. – Honorable Mention

Lifetime Achievement

  • Dan Hart

  • Edmund Cardoni – Honorable Mention

Rising Star

  • Emma Brittain

  • Kaycee Colburn – Honorable Mention

Supporter of the Arts & Culture Sector

  • City of Light Creative & Consulting

  • The Buffalo Hive – Honorable Mention

Unsung Hero

  • Wendy J. Skinner

SPARK SPOTLIGHTS: MEET THE AWARDEES

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Spark Awards are a celebration of Western New York’s creative community! Enjoy an evening of live music, entertainment, hands-on arts activities, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and plenty of opportunities to connect with artists, cultural organizations, and community leaders from across the region.

There’s no formal dress code – most guests choose business casual or cocktail attire, but you’re welcome to come however you feel most comfortable.

MEET OUR 2026 SPONSORS

Champion Sponsor

Organization of of the Year Sponsors

&

Amy and Julio Alvarez

Artist of the Year Sponsor

Impactful Programming Sponsor

Rising Star Sponsor

Supporter of the Arts & Culture Sector Sponsors

Buffalo Urban Development Corporation
&
Erie County Industrial Development Agency

Friends of ASI

Special Thanks To

  • 26
  • Alana Adetola Arts Photography, L.L.C.
  • Fattey Beer
  • House of Charm
  • Jen Swan-Kilpatrick
  • Katie Wood
  • Kim LaVare
  • Lindsay Aleshire

  • The Lock Tender

  • Makayla Santiago-Froebel

  • Mark Banaszak

  • Michelle Braswell
  • Nicholas Bond

  • Reserve Steakhouse by Chef Darian

  • Rick Davis

  • Sean Crawford

  • Streetlight Brasserie
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Inaugural Site

  • The Witches Ball

PAST SPARK MOMENTS

2021 Spark Awards Watch Party. Photo by Alana Adetola Arts Photography

Photo Credit: Alana Adetola Arts Photography & Nick Butler

PAST SPARK AWARD HONOREES

  • 2021 Winner: Jalen A. Law
  • 2021 Honoree: Chantal Calato
  • 2021 Honoree: Stephen Solook
  • 2020 Winner: JoAnn Falletta
  • 2020 Honoree: Chris J. Handley
  • 2020 Honoree: Edreys Wajed
  • 2019 Winner: Muhammad Zaman
  • 2019 Honoree: Julia Bottoms
  • 2019 Honoree: Caitlin Cass
  • 2018 Winner: Fotini Galanes
  • 2018 Honoree: Gary Earl Ross
  • 2018 Honoree: Keith Harrington
  • 2017 Winner: Drea d’Nur
  • 2017 Honoree: David Moog
  • 2017 Honoree: Gary Sczerbaniewicz
  • 2016 Winner: Adam Zyglis
  • 2016 Honoree: Zuri Elise Appleby
  • 2016 Honoree: Chuck Tingley
  • 2015 Winner: David Michael Miller
  • 2015 Honoree: Sarah Fonzi
  • 2015 Honoree: Ntare Ali Gault
  • 2014 Winner: Shasti O’Leary Soudant
  • 2014 Honoree: Mikel Wintermantel
  • 2014 Honoree: MarCe Zerrate

  • 2021 Winner: CEPA Gallery
  • 2021 Honoree: Buffalo Opera Unlimited
  • 2021 Honoree: Locust Street Art
  • 2020 Winner: 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center
  • 2020 Honoree: O’Connell & Company
  • 2020 Honoree: Unique Theatre Co.
  • 2019 Winner: Buffalo Sugar City
  • 2019 Honoree: National Comedy Center
  • 2019 Honoree: Road Less Traveled Productions
  • 2018 Winner: Buffalo Arts Studio
  • 2018 Honoree: Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
  • 2018 Honoree: Resource: Art
  • 2017 Winner: Kenan Center
  • 2017 Honoree: 1891 Fredonia Opera House
  • 2017 Honoree: Springville Center for the Arts
  • 2016 Winner: Just Buffalo Literary Center
  • 2016 Honoree: Buffalo Choral Arts Society
  • 2016 Honoree: Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
  • 2015 Winner: Niagara Arts & Cultural Center
  • 2015 Honoree: Albright-Knox Art Gallery
  • 2015 Honoree: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Center for Comedy
  • 2014 Winner: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
  • 2014 Honoree: Squeaky Wheel/Buffalo Media Resources
  • 2014 Honoree: Torn Space Theater

  • 2017, WNED/WBFO
  • 2016, Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation
  • 2015, Paul Hogan
  • 2014, Lynn Marinelli

  • 2021, Thembi Duncan, Shea’s, and Buffalo PD’s Body Language Training Program
  • 2020, Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center at Oishei Children’s Hospital
  • 2019, Sam Savarino
  • 2018, Learning Disabilities Association of WNY
  • 2017, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
  • 2016, Elgin Wolfe & Tri-Main Development
  • 2015, Dr. Timothy Murphy and the University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center

  • 2016, Tom Toles (The Washington Post)
  • 2015, Tom Calderone (President VH1)

  • 2021, Defiant Monkey Improv’s “The Brain of Dr. Delgado”
  • 2020, Lewiston Council on the Arts’ Iroquois Market
  • 2019, Annette Daniels Taylor for “Heritage Walk: Traveling Buffalo’s Underground Railroad Seminar and Workshop”
  • 2018, Lockport Public Arts Council: Sweet Chalk Festival
  • 2017, University District Community Development Association in collaboration with Nicholas Conrad Miller for “Bailey Fights Blight” Mural Program
  • 2016, 710 Main Theatre and Buffalo Laboratory Theatre for “The Mystery of the Silver Chalice”
  • 2015, Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Fine Arts Program
  • 2014, Karen Sirgey with Niagara Wheatfield High School

  • 2021, Nancy Clarke Mariani
  • 2021, Michael Quinniey
  • 2021, Jose Rodriguez
  • 2021, Gaitrie Subryan

  • 2018, Robert G. Wilmers
  • 2017, M. Jacquie Lodico
  • 2014, Burton Notarius

  • 2021, Patrick Fagan
  • 2020, Vincent O’Neill
  • 2019, Craig Centrie
  • 2018, Thomas Burrows
  • 2017, Anthony C. Conte
  • 2016, Saul Elkin
  • 2015, Jonathan Rogers
  • 2014, Molly Bethel (Locust Street Art)

  • 2021, Nicole Cooke
  • 2020, West Falls Center for the Arts
  • 2019, Aimee Levesque
  • 2018, Buffalo String Works
  • 2017, Jon Lehrer
  • 2016, University Heights Arts Association
  • 2015, Danceability
  • 2014, Infinity Visual & Performing Arts Center

  • 2021, Cullen Foundation
  • 2020, Joel Feroleto
  • 2019, John McKendry
  • 2018, John & Carolyn Yurtchuk
  • 2017, M&T Bank
  • 2016, Buffalo Spree Magazine
  • 2015, Rigidized Metals (Silo City)
  • 2014, Fund for the Arts

  • 2021, Aitina Fareed-Cooke
  • 2020, Michele Agosto
  • 2019, Rob Lynch
  • 2018, Michael J. Beam

  • 2021, Joan Fishburn (Amherst Symphony Orchestra)
  • 2020, Beth Pedersen (Buffalo Society of Artists)
  • 2019, Clyde Terry (Shea’s Performing Arts Center)
  • 2018, Friends of the Japanese Gardens
  • 2017, Rita Argen Auerbach
  • 2016, Carl Klingenschmitt & Sue Fay Allen (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)
  • 2015, Gerald Mead
  • 2014, Dick and Carmen Gilman (1891 Fredonia Opera House)

2026 SPARK AWARDS EVENT PROGRAM

Help local artists and organizations achieve their dreams.

Support ASI