PASEO ARTS AWARDS
Each year, the Paseo Arts Association honors artists and creative leaders who have made a strong contribution to the arts in our state at the Paseo Arts Awards. The awards were created to recognize and honor those individuals who have contributed to the artistic creativity and well-being of our state. By recognizing artists and creative leaders, we hope to strengthen the Oklahoma art community. The Paseo Arts Awards occur every November and include an evening dinner, ceremony and silent auction.
This event also serves as a fundraiser for the Paseo Arts Association, helping to support artists, arts events and programs year-round. We wish to thank all the artists, patrons, supporters, teachers, authors, collectors, and overall appreciators of the arts! Come out and join us for a night of celebration!
Save the date for this year’s Paseo Arts Awards! Tuesday, November 17, 2026
2026 AWARDEES
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
This award honors a person who has spent his/her life contributing to the enhancement of the arts in Oklahoma either as an artist, supporter, arts educator or arts administrator.
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John Wolfe is a full-time studio artist working primarily in sculpture and painting. Born in Vernon, Texas, in 1947 and raised in Davidson, Oklahoma, Wolfe earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State College and a master’s degree in art education from Central State College.
Wolfe taught art in the Midwest City-Del City Public School District from 1970 until his retirement in 2005, while also teaching at the college level. Retirement allowed him to devote himself more fully to his studio practice and artistic exploration. His approach to painting and sculpture reflects author Mary Oliver’s observation in Teach the Children, “Attention is the beginning of devotion.”
EMERGING ART AWARD:
This award recognizes an artist that has emerged onto the Oklahoma art scene within the past few years and has contributed to the diversity and growth of art and culture in Oklahoma.
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Paige Nguyen is a Vietnamese American multimedia printmaker and book artist based in Oklahoma City. Her work explores how everyday traditions, from food preparation to fashion, evolve across generations and reflect the intersection of Vietnamese American family experience and American culture.
Nguyen holds degrees in Studio Art and Art History from Oklahoma State University and has exhibited her work regionally and nationally. She has completed residencies at Central Print and Women’s Studio Workshop and has guest lectured for the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Her work is represented in university and museum collections across the country.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD:
This award recognizes an emerging or established artist who has distinguished themselves and their profession during the past year.
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Matt Goad is an Oklahoma artist working in painting and large-scale public art. Drawing on a background in graphic design and illustration, his distinctive visual language combines geometric forms, bold color, rhythm, and narrative with influences from woodblock printing and mid-century design.
Goad has created significant public artworks throughout the United States, including commissions for the State of Oklahoma, Will Rogers World Airport, and Nashville International Airport. Across both studio and public work, he explores art’s ability to transform spaces, tell stories, and connect people with place.
CREATIVE PLACEMAKING AWARD:
Honors a person/group who has made substantial contributions to strengthening creative communities, making the role of art essential in enhancing local character for positive economic development and community outcomes.
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Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP), located in Oklahoma City’s historic Paseo Arts District, presents professional classical theatre while supporting Oklahoma artists and engaging audiences of all ages.
Through statewide educational programming, OSP brings Shakespeare to students and educators through interactive performances, workshops, and curriculum-aligned experiences. The organization also cultivates the next generation of theatre professionals through production-based mentorship and its Emerging Artist Program, while affordable ticketing and community partnerships help make classical theatre accessible to the broader community.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD:
This award honors an individual whose creative practice has made a distinctive and meaningful impact on the arts community—shaping experiences, inspiring others and leaving a lasting mark on the community.
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Sue Hale is an Oklahoma artist, journalist, and longtime supporter of the Paseo Arts District. She began studying art in the late 1990s while serving as executive news editor at The Oklahoman and later became one of the artists behind In Your Eye Studio and Gallery.
Alongside a 45-year newspaper career, Hale served on the Paseo Arts Association Board, volunteered with the Paseo Arts Festival, and supported arts programs throughout Oklahoma City. Her paintings are rooted in storytelling and emotion, exploring the character and spirit of both people and animals.
