Annual Awards — Artists' Fellowship, Inc.

The Artists’ Fellowship Annual Awards

The Artists' Fellowship Annual Awards is an evening dedicated to honoring distinguished individuals and organizations in the field of art.

This year, the Gari Melchers Memorial Medal was awarded to The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, represented by founder and former Executive Director Jane Stephenson. She was introduced by current Executive Director George Scheer.

Artist Kay WalkingStick was awarded the Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal for her extraordinary work that resonates with crucial themes of our times. She was introduced by artist Joan Giordano.

In addition, a Presidential Award was presented to The Haven Foundation in honor of their exemplary generosity in preserving the dignity and value of artists’ lives.

The event took place on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 at The Players 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC.

1. Introductory remarks by AF President Jessica D. Winer, followed by EFA Executive Director George Scheer.

2. EFA Founder and former Executive Director Jane Stephenson accepts Melchers Award.

3. Artist Joan Giordano.

4. Artist Kay WalkingStick accepts the Clinedinst Award.

5. AF President Jessica D. Winer and Vice-President John A. Varriano present Presidential Award to the Haven Foundation.

The History behind the Medals

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The Gari Melchers Memorial Medal is awarded to a person or an organization that has materially furthered the interest of the profession of the fine arts. The medal was established in 1945 to commemorate the late artist's generous services to the Fellowship, his genial comradeship, and his sympathetic understanding and great goodwill for artists. The Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal is awarded for the achievement of exceptional artistic merit. The medal was established in 1947 to commemorate Benjamin West Clinedinst's dedication to the fundamental and traditional principles of art, his interest in his fellow artists, and his devotion to the Fellowship.

More from years past:

164th Annual Awards Celebration - The Players
Honoring: Audrey Flack and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts

162nd Annual Awards Celebration - Virtual Event October 6, 2021
Honoring: The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation

161st Annual Awards Celebration - Virtual Event October 28, 2020
Honoring: Burton Silverman

160th Annual Awards Celebration - Battery Gardens October 28, 2019
Honoring: Eric Fischl & April Gornik and Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation

159th Anniversary Celebration - National Arts Club
October 22, 2018
Honoring: Babette Bloch & Marc Mellon and Brook Green Gardens & VP and Curator Robin Salmon

158th Anniversary Celebration - National Arts Club
October 23, 2017
Honoring: Sigmund Abeles and New York Foundation for the Arts

157th Anniversary Celebration - Manhattan Penthouse
September 28, 2016
Honoring: Janet Fish and Robert Rauschenberg Foundation

156th Anniversary Celebration - Salmagundi Club
October 21, 2015
Honoring: Richard Haas and MTA Arts & Design/Sandra Bloodworth

155th Anniversary Celebration - Manhattan Penthouse
October 15, 2014
Honoring: Faith Ringgold and The Norman Rockwell Museum

154th Anniversary Celebration - Manhattan Penthouse
September 10, 2013
Honoring: William Bailey and Yale University Art Gallery

153rd Anniversary Celebration - Manhattan Penthouse
October 24, 2012
Honoring: Knox Martin and Storm King Art Center

152nd Anniversary Celebration - Manhattan Penthouse
September 21, 2011
Honoring: Stanley Bleifeld and The Stobart Foundation and John Stobart

151st Anniversary Celebration - Manhattan Penthouse
September 22, 2010
Honoring: Robert Kipniss and Milton Esterow

150th Anniversary Celebration National Arts Club
September 23, 2009
Honoring: Will Barnet, Everett Raymond Kinstler, and Pamela Singleton