Bloglander

Dust off your best costume and come out to emulate your favorite artist! This Saturday, Nov. 5, Spokane Arts is hosting the third annual Arts Awards & Costume Ball at the Washington Cracker Co. Building as a culmination of Create Spokane Arts Month.

This fundraiser for Spokane Arts' programs features live performances from all types of artists: Vytal Movement Dance Company, poetry by Fitz Fitzpatrick, music by singer and songwriter Liz Rognes, Divine Jewels' performance art, Inland Empire Cello Ensemble, and The Soul Dimensions of DX Pryme providing dance music for all to enjoy.

This event is designated for those age 21 and over, with catering by Sante Restaurant's Jeremy Hansen and beverages from River City Brewing, Tinbender Craft Distillery and Overbluff Cellars. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 the day of the event or at the door.

The 2016 nominees for the Spokane Arts Awards, competing for awards in imagination, inclusion, leadership and collaboration are:

         •     Christopher Bolduc
         •     Kearney Jordan
         •     Rebecca Lloyd
         •     Anthony Crnick
         •     Troy Nickerson
         •     David Jacobs
         •     Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living magazine, Stephanie Regalado and Bozzi Media
         •     Jundt Art Museum
         •     Ellen Welcker
         •     Sharma Shields
         •     Spokane Symphony and The Fox Thearer
         •     Ryan Miller
         •     Mark Anderson
         •     Tula Patterson
         •     Mariah Boyle
         •     Todd Benson and Cain Benson
         •     Karen Mobley
         •     Ben Stuckart and the Spokane City Council
         •     Vincas Greene
         •     Creative Life Spokane
         •     Michael Smith
         •     Brooke Matson

Last year's Art Awards festivities were held at the McKinstry Innovation Station. The owners of the Bing Crosby Theater and the Modern Theater Jerry and Patty Dicker took home the leadership award, while the inclusion award went to co-founder of Terrain and Window Dressing Ginger Ewing. The award for collaboration was presented to Saranac Art Projects, and Sharma Shields, author of The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac, took home the imagination award.

Last year's awards ceremony also featured a new award, the Mobley Arts Impact Award which is given to those who embody the spirit of Spokane artist Karen Mobley, who has dedicated her life to arts advocacy. In 2016 the award honors Steve Gibbs, owner of the Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d'Alene.