To mark Women’s History Month, Gazelle introduces you to six remarkable women who will be honored at the 2022 Saint Louis Visionary Awards ceremony in April.
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.
Among the honorees is Andrea Hughes, who will receive the Community Impact Artist award. A career artist who is dedicated to showcasing art created in her neighborhood, she is currently the curator/director of the 14th Street Artist Community and president of the Zuka Art Guild. Hughes, who works to bring together like-minded people through the joy and beauty of art, is also involved with the Community Arts Training program, whose members are passionate about enriching their surroundings.
GAZELLE: How can creativity and the arts positively impact members of a community?
ANDREA HUGHES: The arts gives the community character – a sense of welcome to a vibrant, caring thoughtful place. If the artist lives in the community and is able to get the neighborhood involved in the process of creating, that bonds the residents who get to know one another, the neighborhood bonds together, all through art.
GAZELLE: Tell us about the project you’re most proud of.
ANDREA HUGHES: The project that I’m most proud of is “Doors of North St. Louis.” The first challenge was that I had never painted images on doors or wooden fences until I joined the program – it is a big difference from painting on paper or canvases. Gathering outdoors with other artists – socially distanced – was a fun experience during quarantine at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were creating a connection with neighbors, at the same time, making an ordinary area more welcoming to residents and visitors who occasionally stop to take photos of the art.
GAZELLE: What does this award mean to you?
ANDREA HUGHES: Receiving the Visionary Award for Community Impact Artist is just doing what I enjoy – one never knows who’s being positively impacted. I’m being recognized for having fun doing what I do best, in my own community. Never could I have dreamed of the possibility that such an honor existed for me.
In addition to Hughes, this year’s Visionary Awards recipients are: Hassie Davis (Outstanding Teaching Artist), Dianne Isbell (Outstanding Working Artist), Mee Jey (Emerging Artist), Emily Rauh Pulitzer (Lifetime Achievement) and Pam Trapp (Major Contributor to the Arts).
An awards ceremony and program, followed by a reception, begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 25, at the Sun Theatre in Grand Center. Cheree Berry and Dr. Eva Frazer are the co-hosts for the evening.
For tickets and additional information, visit the Saint Louis Visionary Awards website.
