14th Annual President’s Arts Awards

EACH YEAR, ST. TAMMANY PARISH celebrates the President’s Arts Awards to recognize local artists and arts patrons who have contributed to the culture of the parish and to reinforce the foundational significance of the arts in our community. These artists add richness to our lives in many ways and have been recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as special talents in their disciplines. We are fortunate to have the privilege of enjoying their talents, which expand beyond the parameters of our region to touch people across the country.

The 14th Annual President’s Arts Awards, presented by Parish President Michael B. Cooper and the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs, honored the following 2020 recipients at an outdoor ceremony at the Koop Drive Trailhead Pavilion.

Performing Artist of the Year - Mel Rogers

Mel Rogers is a free-lance clarinet-saxophone-flute musician who has worked with the Saenger Theater Broadway Orchestra since 1980. As pit musician and orchestra contractor, he has performed with Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady and Richard Burton in Camelot and has also assembled orchestras for top artists Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and Rod Stewart. Rogers has worked with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Tulane Summer Lyric, NOCCA, Le Petit Theater, Beau Rivage, New Orleans Opera, New Orleans Ballet and the LPO and presently teaches in the Talented Music Program at Covington High School.

Visual Artist of the Year - Gretchen Armbruster

Gretchen Armbruster is a visual artist working in oils, watercolor and pencil mediums who captures colorful depictions of carnival, jazz and local personalities and is a highly sought-after portrait artist. She is the gallery owner and principle instructor at Armbruster Artworks in Covington. Her most notable works include Crescent City Classic posters, Krewe of Bacchus artwork, murals in the Old Absinthe house on Bourbon Street, the 2010 Lombardi poster, cover art for Inside Northside magazine and label design for a California vintner. Armbruster has been featured in the national magazine American Art Collector and her work has appeared in the film, He Said She Said.

Literary Artist of the Year - Mike Artell

Mike Artell is a freelance writer, cartoonist and musician and has received several accolades from science publications and literacy groups. In 2009, his book Petite Rouge – A Cajun Red Riding Hood received numerous awards and was named the Read Aloud Book of the Year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Petite Rouge was also selected for the Louisiana Young Reader’s Choice Award and became a musical production in New York, London and across the United States. Artell also remains committed to sharing his talent by teaching thousands of children in schools locally and across the globe, to think, write and draw more creatively.

Musical Artist of the Year - Lee Hicks

Lee Hicks is in his 19th year as the Director of Bands at Fontainebleau High School. Since his arrival at Fontainebleau, the program has become one of the most respected and successful programs in Louisiana and is recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. He’s had students go on to become music educators and professional musicians. He has recorded for Six Flags Entertainment and the National D-Day Museum. Hicks has also performed professionally in New Orleans and the Gulf South region with the LPO, the Saenger Theater Broadway Orchestra and the Jefferson Performing Arts Broadway Pit Orchestra and with industry legends such as Bernadette Peters, Barry Manilow and Tony Bennett.

Culinary Artist of the Year - Abita Brewing Company

Abita Brewing Company is the original and largest craft brewery in the state of Louisiana. Founded in Abita Springs in 1986, the company began annual production with 1,500 barrels of beer. Today, Abita annually brews and globally distributes more than 138,000 barrels of beer and soda in its state-of-the-art brewing facility. President David Blossman remains committed to Louisiana-inspired branding and artistry and uses only the finest locally sourced ingredients and the pure artesian water of Abita Springs. Every year, the company donates more beer and root beer than brewed in their first year of business and has several specialized beers created specifically to give back to the community. The local brewery also offers guided tours and boasts a full calendar of events making it a true culinary and cultural destination.

Patron of the Year - Painting with a Twist

Painting with a Twist began in 2007 after Hurricane Katrina when two enterprising and philanthropic women, Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, wanted to create an entertainment escape for people to come together and have a little artistic fun. By 2009, the concept grew to four locations and, in 2014, the national franchise was launched. Today, Painting with a Twist has over 270 franchise locations across the United States, has served an estimated 5 million guests and has created over 10 million paintings. Through its Painting with a Purpose program, the company hosts events once a month across the franchise system, raising over $5 million for charities and donating 50 percent of proceeds back to local non-profits. Throughout the years, Deano and Maloney have continued to support the arts through their personal involvement and contribution to a wide variety of local community organizations.

President’s Award - Gardner Schneider Kole

Known for her life-long career in volunteerism and civic enrichment, Gardner Schneider Kole was instrumental in founding, leading and serving many of Slidell’s civic clubs and organizations throughout her life. Her gift, skill and love of dance and theater led her to teach and inspire students in her dance studio for a number of years and open doors of opportunity for others in the performing arts in Slidell. Kole worked with organizations such as Slidell Little Theatre and founded the Slidell Performing Arts Guild. She was also the founder of the annual event Jazz on the Bayou, which has raised millions of dollars furthering the work of local charities.

Native Son Award - Lesslee Fitzmorris Mitchell

Lesslee Fitzmorris Mitchell, a native of Slidell, began her show business career at a young age by organizing and producing neighborhood shows. Although she sought a legal career as an attorney, Fitzmorris-Mitchell returned to her love of dance and production and founded two international events and dance/cheer instructional businesses, American AllStar, Inc. and St. All-Star, Inc., In 1985, she produced her first pregame show at Super Bowl XX in New Orleans and has since produced, directed and choreographed the International Special Olympics closing ceremonies, an Academy Awards show and two Emmy Awards shows, along with countless Super Bowl pregame shows. For 17 years, Fitzmorris-Mitchell served as the manager and director of the nationally acclaimed New Orleans Saints dance team, the Saintsations.

Outstanding Service Award - Kim Bergeron

Kim Bergeron is a leading arts advocate, talented artist and founder of numerous programs for the City of Slidell including S o m e Enchanted Evening with the LPO, the Bayou Jam concert series and several world-class exhibitions at the Slidell Cultural Center. She also co-founded the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition and in 2016 created a “Shop Local Artists Weekend” to generate awareness as to the importance of communities supporting creatives, which has since expanded to state and national levels. Her professional work and her community service have led to a plethora of local, regional and national awards. For her community service, Bergeron has been honored with the ATHENA International Leadership Award, American Red Cross Power of Women Award, Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Award and Paul Harris Fellow.

The final award of the night was the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Patricia “Pat” Clanton. Turn to page 26 for her story.

Shout out to Sonange Ledwith of Swamp Girl Glass Blowing for the awards, which are stunning works of art in their own right.