Story image: Klee Benally Performing during Tzonteyōtl Na’ach’ąąh (Resistance Art) a Diné & Xikan@ Collaboration

Creative Flagstaff is pleased to announce the Finalists and Legacy Award Recipient for the 16^th Annual Viola Awards. The Viola Awards celebrate excellence in the arts and sciences in Flagstaff, Arizona. 42 finalists are recognized across 10 categories, with some finalists being recognized in multiple categories. All finalists will be honored at the event on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Orpheum Theater in historic downtown Flagstaff. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/16th-annual-viola-awards-tickets-825751574187

(Full list of finalists below).

Creative Flagstaff is honored to recognize Klee Benally as the 2024 The Babbitt Brothers Foundation Viola Legacy Award recipient. Klee passed away in December of 2023. During his life, he fought tirelessly in defense of the land, against injustices, and in support of indigenous communities which was the foundation for his creative practice and artistry. He was an Indigenous anarchist, visual and performing artist, writer, and musician. He published “No Spiritual Surrender: Indigenous Anarchy in Defense of the Sacred” in November 2023. He played with Blackfire, which he formed with his brother and sister when he was 14 until 2012 and he recorded a solo album in 2013. He also formed “Appropriation” around 2017 which released 1 album. Klee was heavily involved with organizations and projects such as; Indigenous Action, Taala Hooghan Info Shop, Kinlani Mutual Aid, and Out Your Backpack Media. He also created Burn the Fort, which is a game of Indigenous Resistance. Klee’s passion and creativity were endless, and he is an inspiration to us all.

This year nearly 150 nominations were sent to Creative Flagstaff from members of the Flagstaff Community. At the same time, nearly 30 members of the Flagstaff community applied to serve as a panelist for this year’s awards. Panelists have the important job of determining the finalists and winners of the event. Panels were assembled based on interest and expertise. Panels met in late January to select the official Finalists which were announced Friday, February 19, 2024.

Learn more about this year’s Viola Awards here: creativeflagstaff.org/viola/2024-viola-awards/

2024 Official Viola Award Finalists

Excellence in the Visual Arts

• Bryan David Griffith: Envision
• Paula Rice: Transformation & Transcendence
• Nate Begay: Our Future, Told by the Past
• Jihan Gearon: Tricky

Excellence in the Performing Arts

• Ballet Folklórico de Colores: Paseo Navideno: A Christmas Journey Through Mexico
• The Cast of Dance Nation
• Stargazer Collaborative Theatre: Women of Broadway Cabaret
• Simon Says Theatre: Every Brilliant Thing

Excellence in Music

• iiwaa
• Tiny Bird
• Tow’rs
• Ryan Biter
• Pilcrowe

Excellence in Storytelling

• Mary Tolan: Mars Hill Murder
• Melissa Sevingy: Brave the Wild River
• Lawrence Lenhart: Backvalley Ferrets
• Lydia Gates: Flagstaff Poetry Slam Host

Emerging Artist

• Brian Price
• Nathan Henderson
• Haley Jacobey
• Jonathan Cady

Excellence in Education

• Joe Maniglia
• Betsy Hamill
• Owen Davis

Excellence in Collaboration

• Diane Immethun & FSO: Deeper Soul of Picture Canyon
• Master Chorale & NAU Community Dance Academy: Venus & Adonis
• Interference Series
• Maya Scull & Jason Libby: Nightmare Over the Rainbow
• Flagstaff Nuestras Raices & Museum of Northern Arizona: 20^th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente

Community Impact (Individual)

• Emmett White
• Kimberly Robinson
• Caitlin Burd
• Wendy White

Community Impact (Organization)

• The Give Back
• Freaky Foot Tours
• Flagstaff Foundry
• Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra
• Northern Arizona Book Festival

Philanthropy Award

• Arizona Public Service
• Dark Sky Brewing
• Alice Christie
• L. Gore