SOUTHBURY — The Arts & Culture Subcommittee of the Southbury Economic Development Commission recently hosted the 2024 Southbury Arts Awards at Riverview Cinemas.

The event celebrated Southbury’s vibrant creative community and honored the achievements of local artists who have significantly contributed to the town’s cultural landscape. The evening culminated with the announcement of two prestigious awards: Artist of the Year and The David K. Merrill Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award.

The finalists for Artist of the Year included Tammy Dunn, Faith Vicinanza, and Alejandra Pelaez Muñoz.

Vicinanza, a former Newtown resident and accomplished artist and writer, was presented The David K. Merrill Lifetime Achievement award. According to The Arts & Culture Subcommittee, the award was presented to Vicinanza for her decades-long contributions to the literary and artistic community, both locally and beyond.

The Lifetime Achievement in the Arts was presented by the subcommittee for the first time in 2023. It was presented during Southbury’s 350th anniversary celebration to its current namesake, the painter and muralist David Merrill.

Appointed Southbury’s first poet laureate in 2022, Vicinanza has been a master teaching artist, literary magazine editor, and poetry festival founder. With four published poetry collections and a memoir in progress, she has competed in national and international poetry slams, directed the 1997 National Poetry Slam, and won the 2003 Arts Advocates Award.

She also leads workshops, runs Vicinanza Studios and Gallery, works in cybersecurity, gardens, and competes in ballroom dancing.

The 2024 Artist of the Year award was presented to Tammy Dunn, recognizing her dedication to fostering creativity and community through her artistic endeavors.

A singer, songwriter, and visual artist, Dunn has dedicated her life to music and creativity. She is the owner of The Cottage at Main, a local artisan space that supports over 120 creatives, showcasing their work, fostering creativity, and inspiring community engagement in a welcoming space.

The third finalist, Alejandra Pelaez Muñoz, originally from Medellín, Colombia, incorporates the beauty of her heritage and the natural landscapes of Southbury into her handmade, eco-friendly artwork, emphasizing sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.