2025 Barbara Gardner Art Award- Nominations Due

The Pennyroyal Arts Council is calling on the community to recognize and uplift local creative leaders—there is still time to submit a nomination for the 2025 Barbara Gardner Art Award. The deadline to nominate a deserving Christian County-based educator or student is Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM Central.

This award honors the life and legacy of the late Barbara Gardner, a self-employed artist and dedicated art teacher who mentored hundreds of students in Hopkinsville over a remarkable career spanning more than 45 years. A passionate advocate for the arts, Barbara was also a beloved member of the Hopkinsville Art Guild and a vital contributor to the local arts community until her passing in 2021.

To preserve her legacy and amplify the values she championed, the Pennyroyal Arts Council established the Barbara Gardner Art Award using proceeds from her art sale held in August 2022. “We believe in the transformative power of the arts, and this scholarship is one of the ways we invest in the next generation of creators and educators,” said Kelly Selfe, PACI Education Coordinator. “Barbara Gardner’s legacy reminds us that access and creativity should belong to everyone.”

About the Award:

• Two recipientswill be selected: one educator and one student
• Each will receive a $500 unrestricted cash award
• Awardees will be notified on May 1, 2025

Eligibility:

• Nominees must live or work in Christian County, a region that includes territories of several Native Nations including the Shawnee, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Iroquois, and Algonquian people.
• Educatorsmust be employed by an accredited institution or be homeschool educators.
• Studentsmust be rising juniors or seniors (public, private, or homeschool).

PACI strongly encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of our region, and welcomes nominations for creative leaders across all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, appearance, religion, age, education level, and socioeconomic status.

Nomination Process:

Nominations must be submitted online by April 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM Central.
Nomination portal: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5YGGFH5
Full guidelines and eligibility details can be found at www.pennyroyalarts.org under the “Programs” then “Barbara Gardner Art Scholarship” tab.

Anyone may nominate a candidate, and materials must include:

• General Information Form (includes optional demographic questions)
• Nomination Statement (highlighting accomplishments and community impact)
• Nominee’s Bio (up to 200 words)
• Letter of Support (1 page)
• Supplemental Materials (up to 2 pages or 10 digital images)
• Intention Statement (how the award would be used, 200 words max)

Selection:

A review committee composed of PACI staff and board members will evaluate nominations. Finalists will be assessed based on their creative accomplishments, entrepreneurial thinking, and community engagement.

This is your chance to shine a light on the artists, educators, and students shaping the cultural landscape of our community. Help us honor their work—nominate someone today.

Media Contact:
Kelly Selfe
Education Coordinator
Pennyroyal Arts Council
Kelly.selfe@pennyroyalarts.org | (270) 887- 4295