2021-22 Gracious Gratitude Awards 🏆
Hybrid, on-campus, rain, or shine we did it! The school year is over. Congratulations on getting through it, let’s close it out with The Gracious Gratitude Awards.
💞 The Gracious Gratitude Awards celebrate those who puts a smile on your face, the folks who are happy to help out, who make the AUArts community a welcoming, kind, and creative environment. Those who have helped us survive and thrive throughout the 2021-22 year! 💪
2021-22 Award Recipients 🏆
See below for the complete list of GGA recipients, including their nominations.
All nominations are generated by members of the AUArts community, and may contain grammatical or categorical errors.
Students
Emily Pickering
Kindness and lifting the communal energy of the studio
Grace Jackson
Was always there to make me smile on my down days, helped me with my school related stress and helped me when I was short on cash. She respects all boundaries and even asked me my pronouns when I chopped all my hair off (was waist length, now buzzed). She’s respectful to everyone and I’ve never seen her hurt a fly. Truly one of the best people
India Dmytriev
India was always so positive and encouraging in the classroom. She had so much on her plate but always showed everyone so much compassion and would be an ear to listen if you were having a rough time. I will miss her energy on campus!
Jam Russett
For constantly inspiring and uplifting the students around them. Jamie inspired many of the current SLC members to join and make a difference, and the SA would be half of what it is now if they didn't have Jam to consistently bring everyone together. Not only that but Jam has proven themselves to consistently be a resource for her peers in ceramics. From staying late and helping with installs, to giving honest advice pre critique to help makes things go smoothly. Jam is always there for the people in their department and has been an absolute spot of light throughout the pandemic. Throughout the year Jam has even left candy and kind notes on the desks of students through finals and midterms. I can't think of anyone else who deserves this award more.
Jemimah Nuam
Really friendly and helpful, is ready to impart her fifth year wisdom to anyone, regardless of how new they are to the school. The warmest heart ever!
Jillian Cote
Jillian is so positive! She always has lovely and encouraging things to say about your work and will instantly put a smile on your face!
Jodie Stevens
You are energizingly high-spirited and a wonderful person to be around!
Katherine Foster
They have been a very giving member of our art community . They have been a phenomenal mentor to our Hear/d residents always leading the pack with compassion. Katherine has flourished in to an generous community facilitator and mentor. Our students are very lucky of having them as part of our community. Their smile lights a room in the darkest of our days. Sometimes changing our the mood from dark to light . Thanks Katherine for being so caring and supportive to everyone!
Laura Holck
Laura is such an amazing person. Even though we don't know each other well, or have known each other for very long, she genuinely wants to help and make everyone feel welcome. She is hilarious and caring.
Leah Naicken
Leah is an inspiring and strong woman worthy of admiration. She does everything she can to help her friends and fellow students, whether it be helping them find jobs, writing resumes, to helping them through a difficult time of crisis: She takes time out of her busy schedule to lend a hand or even just some much-needed advice.
Her unflinchingly honest, genuine, and direct convictions are amazing to witness daily, and it encourages me to try harder to be a better person in all aspects of my life.
There is no specific instance that I can point to for why I am nominating her, but her character and outstanding moral fibre overall make Leah extremely deserving of this award.
You. Are. AWESOME!!
Luigi Pulido
Luigi is always down to help you out and just wants the best for everyone at AUArts. He's also so genuinely supportive and encouraging. Thanks for everything Luigi!
Natalie Melara
Natalie is an amazing community member. A súper giving mentor and a gracious colleague. It has been very gratifying to see Natalie to flourish in whatever she does always keeping everyone’s spirits up. She has been a wonderful mentor to our Hear/d residents . We think she deserves all the recognition we can give her .
Rachel Denbina
Rachel!! is!! so!! wonderful!! and!! inspiring!!
Shayla Stokes
Shayla is one of the funniest people I know
Stephanie Seufert
She is such a wonderful person to talk to <3
Vian Esterhuizen
Vian Esterhuizen has been a phenomenal peer and a community member. Vian not only offered their skill sets in many school events documenting exhibitions and helping organize various events but also has been a great source of support for students and staff alike. During the Hear/d residency Vian was always ready to offer moral and technical support to everyone. We need more Vian energy in our lives !
Faculty
Cathy Simone
Cathy has always been the best cheerleader for students and alumni alike. She gives all what she has to every student and alumni , always being in the background offering mentorship , moral support and just love !
Many artist , AUArts alumni and students owe to Cathy our photography skills. She gives generously to everyone. She is the backbone of the photo department. Cathy you are the very best !
Leslie Bell
The most inspiring and helpful first year painting prof ever!
Rita McKeough
Rita is inexhaustible. She always came to class, excited and full of energy! I am grateful to her this year, as I was lucky enough to have her both semesters. She takes the time to get to know her students, is supportive of their work and makes time to go to student run shows outside of school hours. I would not have survived this year without her, and I am grateful to learn from her. Thank you Rita!
Staff + Admin
AUArts Bookstore Staff
You make spending what little money I have feel good. Rad group of humans.
Custodial Staff
Thank you for keeping our school sanitized while navigating the eternal issue of “is it art, or trash?”
Gurman Sahota
For bringing your sassy warmth to the SA.
Janira Moncayo
You’ve beautified the SA, and it’s been so lovely working with you and watching you level up as a designer and human!
Joel Farris
You lift up the programming team, and you’ve made this year another great one for the SA.
Jolie Bird
Beyond generous, understanding, and helpful. She has contributed so much towards so many things
Kendra Sleeman
Kendra has done an amazing job assisting Show + Sale this semester! Way to go!
Leia Guo
Leia’s immense efforts have made Show + Sale a beast, even during the pandemic. Love your innovation and the care you put into the sale. You’re really killling it.
Leia is an incredible leader of Show + Sale! First ballot Show + Sale all star, no doubt.
Super helpful to everyone! Leia is so committed to create a vibrant and exciting arts community. She gives all what she got. She is also a fantastic coworker always ready to come to the rescue of whoever needs it . Lots of positive vibes from Leia. Love her spirit!
Logan Lape
Huge shout out to Logan this year! He had a huge task of sorting out the metal shop along with many other things, but he really worked hard this year and created a great space for us to work out of. Very helpful throughout the year, and helped me overcome many challenges with projects. I would not have survived this semester without him. Thanks Logan!
Marion Garden
A pleasure to work with, thank you for all the care you put into your collaborations with the SA.
Mike Hooves
slayyyyyy
Rocio Graham
Thank you for all the care and thought put into everything you do. YOU ARE POWERFUL.
Rocio does an incredible job mentoring students and leading the Hear/d residency!
Sami Alam
The only person I look forward to recieving emails from. You’re so very pleasant.
Sarah Grodecki
Tysm for everything you did for the SA, we’re in a good place thanks to years of your hard work, a bit of tears, and a lot of love!
Security
Thank you for all your hard work, may 2022-23 be a year where you’re not dealing with COVID enforcement.
Yoke Sum Wong
Every class I have taken with yokesum this year and years past, I always come away with so much more confidence and knowledge that I put into my work and practice. I specifically choose to attend her classes as the material is always exciting to me and presented amazing well. Yokesum’s class is structured in a way that give me room to learn and grow but also take time to breath. Especially as an Asian student, I feel safe in Yokesums class. She has been an amazing support for student like myself and goes beyond her role as a professor to contact, connect and encourage us. I feel immense gratitude to her as my instructor for helping my practice grow and to make me feel apart of a safe community.