To mark Women’s History Month, Gazelle introduces you to six remarkable women who will be honored at the 2024 Saint Louis Visionary Awards ceremony April 29 at the Sun Theater in Grand Center.
The award – one of the most prestigious in the local arts community – recognizes the many contributions of women who work in and support the arts in St. Louis.
This year’s Outstanding Teaching Artist honoree is Shawna Flanigan, artistic director of theatre at COCA (Center of Creative Arts). In her role, Flanigan oversees theatre education, productions, visual art education, exhibitions and the intersections between art forms. Since 2001, she has also been involved in many areas of COCA’s programming, spearheading new initiatives and community collaborations, as well as creating the curriculum and teaching in theatre and visual art. She has produced more than 40 theatrical productions and directed eight plays with multi-generational casts. Flanigan also serves as adjunct faculty at East Central College, where she has taught for four years.
GAZELLE: HOW DO YOUNG PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS?
SHAWNA FLANIGAN: Exposure to high-quality arts education can help young people gain both skill and youth development practices that lead to confidence, discipline and self-efficacy. They also gain greater empathy and understanding of different ways of seeing the world as they learn to share ideas and collaborate. They gain agency and affirmation of their voice as they share their personal experiences and express important ideas. Finally, exposure to the arts ignites imaginations, inspire awe and curiosity.
GAZELLE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS TEACHING HAS POSITIVELY IMPACTED YOU?
SHAWNA FLANIGAN: My students and their boundless imaginations are a constant source of inspiration. Their fresh thinking and new ideas help me to rethink preconceived ideas that I have about the arts, education and the world around me.
GAZELLE: WHAT DOES THIS AWARD MEAN TO YOU?
SHAWNA FLANIGAN: I’m so grateful to be included with this incredible legacy of visionary women. Receiving this award is an honor that I never expected, and I hope that sharing my experience in arts and education can inspire others to engage with the students in our community.
In addition to Flanigan, this year’s Visionary Awards recipients are: Heather Beal-Himes (Outstanding Working Artist), Elizabeth Berges (Major Contributor to the Arts), Meridith McKinley (Outstanding Arts Professional), Luisa Otero-Prada (Community Impact Artist) and Alexa Seda (Emerging Artist).
An awards ceremony and program, followed by a reception, begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29, at the Sun Theater in Grand Center. For tickets and additional information, visit the Saint Louis Visionary Awards website.
