Creative Power Awards

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Arts for All Wisconsin

A past Creative Power Awards event.

media release: 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Arts for All Wisconsin (AFA), formerly known as Very Special Arts Wisconsin. Headquartered in Madison, AFA provides adaptive and inclusive arts programming for children and adults with disabilities throughout the state. 

To celebrate this milestone, AFA invites the community to the Creative Power Awards Celebration on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Starlight Theater in the Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts). This annual event honors award-winning artists and performers with disabilities, recognizing their talent and contributions to the arts. Attendees will experience the power of creativity through an exhibition featuring over 200 original artworks displayed across all four floors of MYArts.  

3:30 pm - Gallery opens, self-guided tours

4:30 pm - Theater opens for seating

5:00 pm - Awards presentation and entertainment

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm - Reception (refreshments, raffle, screen printing, self-guided gallery tours)

Guests will also enjoy a night filled with joy and inspiration, including live performances, engaging art-making activities for all abilities, a curated raffle, and complimentary food and beverages provided by The Great Dane Brew Pub. Event sponsors include Associated Bank, Thompson Investment Management, Achieving Collaborative Treatment, the Madison Gas and Electric Foundation, Thysse, Teel, Inc., and The Great Dane Brew Pub, with additional support from Arts Midwest, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the Department of Public Instruction.  

Honoring a Legacy of Inclusion and Creativity 

In addition to recognizing this year’s Creative Power Award winners, AFA will celebrate its rich history and those who have played a vital role in its success. Christina Martin-Wright, AFA’s executive director since 2019, reflects on this milestone: 

“This year, we also celebrate the people and organizations that have contributed to our longevity. This joyful event provides us with an opportunity to recognize former First Lady Sue Ann Thompson for her crucial role in securing our future through the establishment of our Bridge to the Future Fund, AFA’s internal endowment. We are deeply grateful for her foresight and advocacy throughout the 1990s, and for her unwavering belief in our mission. Due to a scheduling conflict, Kay Lindblade, the organization’s founder and longtime President, will accept the Gratitude Award in Mrs. Thompson’s absence.”  

Special Honorees and Performers 

In addition to presenting Sue Ann Thompson with the 2025 Gratitude Award, the 2025 Creative Power Awards Celebration will also honor ArtWorking, the Leadership Team of Any Given Child Madison (representing Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Youth Arts Center, Madison Arts Commission, Madison Metropolitan School District, and the UW Community Arts Collaboratory), and Jim Riordan, former President of WPS Health Solutions and longtime AFA board member. The following individuals will be recognized for their achievement in visual art:  

Domenico Carteno, Madison, (Child) Merit Award 

Paige Neuenschwander, Cambridge, (Youth) Merit Award 

Molly Solheim, Middleton, (Young Adult) Merit Award 

Stephon Ashley, Madison, (Adult) Merit Award 

Wyatt Datwyler, Hudson, (Child) Creative Power Award 

Aleanna Fournier, Racine, (Child ) Creative Power Award 

Clementine Jorgensen, Kimberly, (Youth) Creative Power Award 

Olivia M.Brusky, Milwaukee, (Youth) Creative Power Award 

Marri Krause, Madison, (Young Adult), Creative Power Award 

Saran Helmer, Coloma, (Young Adult), Creative Power Award 

Alan Wiltgen, Janesville, (Adult) Creative Power Award 

Katie Swanson, Janesville, (Adult) Creative Power Award 

GG, Madison, (Adult) Creative Power Award 

Rose Menyon Heflin, Madison, (Adult) Creative Power Award 

Often described as “the Academy Awards of Disability and the Arts,” the evening will showcase extraordinary performances by professional and emerging musicians, dancers, and vocalists with disabilities. This year’s lineup includes: 

Dancers Sarah Jacobson (Brava Magazine’s 2024 Women to Watch) and Martha Siravo (founder of Wheels & Heels, newly elected member of MMSD School Board) 

Singer Amanda Gallagher 

Violinist Kathryn “Katie-Ping” Woods 

Poet Aliyah Zeitler 

A Fully Accessible Experience 

AFA is committed to ensuring the Creative Power Awards Celebration is fully accessible to all attendees. When reserving tickets online, guests can indicate any accommodations they may need. The event takes place throughout the Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts), a wheelchair-accessible venue equipped with two centrally located elevators and convenient drop-off locations. The awards presentation will be held in the Starlight Theater on the fourth floor, followed by interactive art activities and refreshments for all to enjoy. 

Join the Celebration 

Don’t miss this inspiring evening dedicated to the power of art, creativity, and inclusion. For more information, visit www.artsforallwi.org/cp2025