TV star Niecy Nash among recipients of Grand Center Visionary Awards
By Kenya Vaughn Of the St. Louis American
“So many people are blessed by the arts, so to be recognized for what I do – all I can say is thank you,” said Niecy Nash, the star of two hit television shows, “Reno 911!” on Comedy Central and “Clean House” on the Style Network.
“I was so happy to hear about it! I do so much work in L.A. and New York, but it was wonderful to get an award in a place where my whole family lives.”
A native of Los Angeles, Nash was reared in St. Louis for several of her formative years. She is one of three women of color who will be honored for their contributions to the art and culture community in St. Louis next Wednesday at Grand Center’s 2007 Visionary Awards.
According to Grand Center, the Visionary Award honorees are chosen for their success and generosity in the areas of leadership, philanthropy and service, arts administration, visual and performing arts, national leadership in the arts, and, for the first time, lifetime contribution to the arts. They reviewed more than 100 nominations during a six-week submission period from which the seven honorees were selected.
Nash will be presented with the National Woman in the Arts Award, visual artist Abigail Birhanu will receive the Emerging Artist award and legendary local jazz singer Mae Wheeler is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
They have the common denominators of skin color, an extreme sense of gratitude for the recognition and a St. Louis connection that dates back to childhood – but the differences among these three women are a microcosm for the creative diversity that can be found within the city limits. Between them they represent three generations and varying artistic gifts.
“When I first came to this country at nine, I didn’t speak the language so creating art was my way of communicating with the people around me,” said Birhanu, who was born in Ethiopia.
The 24-year-old is now a full time art teacher with the St. Charles School District, and her paintings have been featured at several venues throughout the St. Louis area and abroad. Birhanu has been an art education advisor for UMSL and volunteers at SCOSAG’s Potter’s Workshop.
“I am extremely humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude, especially being among the women that are going to be recognized,” said Birhanu.
“My head is dancing from one side to the other that all of this is happening,” Wheeler said. “I’ve sent out more than 200 invitations.”
Wheeler, who moved to St. Louis from Memphis, Tenn. at age six, said that the ability to help others is the biggest reward as a leader in the artistic community over nearly six decades of performing.
“I don’t see myself as being all that I’m being honored for,” Wheeler said. “I just have this desire to help.”
All three artists feel their creativity is an organic, involuntary reflex.
“I don’t make art to get recognition,” Birhanu said. “It’s something I’ve always done – it’s a part of me.”
Nash feels similarly about her acting and considers her work as an actress “a call on her life” more than a profession – “no matter what.”
“If I’m having a bad day and I have to be funny, or if I go to an audition and everybody in the room is skinny and I’m not – no matter what,” Nash said.
“Wherever you are in your walk, the best you can be is comfortable in your own skin. I move around in my authentic self, and I thank God that it has been well received.”
The Visionary Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 28 from 6-8 p.m. at The Moto Museum, 3441 Olive Street in Grand Center. Call (618) 398 – 1635. Nominations for the 2008 Visionary Awards will open immediately in December, as next year’s event will be held in April 2008.