ArtServe will host the inaugural “Impact Awards” from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023 to honor the most transformative and influential arts supporters in media, the community, business and philanthropy, as well as recognize its own most memorable artists.

Guests will enjoy a celebratory reception and silent auction at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.

“In South Florida’s creative industries, ArtServe provides all types of artists with the opportunity to make an impact. Whether you’re an artist who’s learning how to parlay your talent into a thriving business, a donor who sees extraordinary talent in that next great artist or a community member who brings it all together, we make it happen,” ArtServe Executive Director Jason Hughes explained. “We are thrilled to recognize these extraordinary partners, advocates, donors and artists, all of whom have impacted both ArtServe and our community in so many diverse ways.”

The award-winning arts incubator’s Impact Award recipients of 2022 are:

Media Advocate:  Dr. Steven Evans, Owner/Publisher of OutClique Magazine

Dr Steven Evans and his monthly magazine, OutClique, bring together people and their stories impacting South Florida LGBTQ+ communities. His support and dedication to local non-profits like ArtServe has also been an important, influential and impactful factor in their success.

Business Partner:  Holy Cross Health

Since 2018, Holy Cross Health has partnered with ArtServe to feature exhibitions by South Florida female artists at The Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women's Center at Holy Cross HealthPlex, a comprehensive, spa-like healthcare center designed for women by women and staffed by physicians in the Holy Cross Medical Group.  Holy Cross recognizes that art is an invaluable, therapeutic tool to facilitate healing from illness, pain, loss or other emotional struggles and appreciates ArtServe’s support of local artists and connection with the community through art in unexpected places.

Community Partner:  Funding Arts Broward

Celebrating its 20th year, Funding Arts Broward shares ArtServe’s commitment to supporting the needs of the local arts community and the belief that art and culture has the power to transform lives, transcend our differences, and bring us together in celebration of the human spirit.  Funding Arts Broward support has been a major factor in helping ArtServe to fulfill its mission.

Philanthropist:  Marc Martorana

As a significant supporter of local charities, Marc Martorana, along with his husband, Don, regularly host fundraising events at their home and other venues. They’ve been giving back to the community for over a decade. Over the past year alone, they’ve hosted events for Sunserve, Equality Florida, Plays of Wilton and more.

Educator: Yvonne Pubien, Owner of Nailed It! DIY Studio

Retired Lauderhill police officer Yvonne Pubien has partnered with ArtServe to bring her expertise to a collaborative project with the Small Business Development Center at Florida Atlantic University.  She also created a curriculum at her arts and crafts studio, Nailed It! DIY, where she taught a small business workshop for low-income residents of Broward County.

Artist: Dan Perez, Photographer

Dan Perez is a multiple award-winning documentary filmmaker, photographer and traveler specializing in documentaries, photojournalism, and event and travel photography.

His photographs have been named as official selections in several international photography exhibitions, as well as featured in New York Magazine. One of the five winners of the Flickr 2018 “Your Best Shot” photography competition, he also was named as a finalist in the 2019 Travel Photographer of the Year Awards.

Tickets to the ArtServe Impact Awards are $100 or four tickets for $300. To purchase tickets, click here.

For event sponsorship, contact Jason Hughes at jasonh@artserve.org. 

ArtServe inspires, supports and advances its diverse members, artists and community by promoting artistic development, education and prosperity through the exploration and presentation of the visual and performing arts.

For more information about ArtServe, visit www.artserve.org.  Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

About ArtServe 

Named a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits, Fort Lauderdale-based ArtServe is an award-winning arts incubator that is advancing the arts for social good as a creative laboratory and hub for experimental artists committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Now in its 35th year, ArtServe has won several awards for innovation in the arts and is supported in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and Florida’s Department of State and the Division of Cultural Affairs. Each year, ArtServe programs contribute tangibly to the region’s economy, helping 2,000+ artists sell their work, build businesses and engage the community. To do that, ArtServe secures financial support through donations, sponsorships and memberships.