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Photo by Olaf Growald
Alana Kay Art
Best Artist
2 of 4
Mayfest
Best Annual Event
3 of 4
Photo by Malcolm Mayhew
Fort Worth Food & Wine
Best Festival
4 of 4
Photo by Ben Bender
Henry the Archer
Best Musician/ Musical Group
Artist
Alana Kay ART
Artist AlanaKay believes in the power of color — its ability to impact a person's emotions, dreams and well-being. That's why her work extends beyond her brightly colored paintings that burst with bold, swirling hues. She takes those designs and turns them into earrings, scarves, leggings and other lifestyle products, hoping her work can empower those around her.
Art Gallery
Fort Works Art
Fort Works Art is at the forefront of Fort Worth’s growing grass roots art scene. As a hybrid gallery/community center/museum, Fort Works Art strives to continually evolve into its own entity, free from the traditional labels of the art world. The space’s intrepid creative director and co-founder, Lauren Childs, strives to support the arts, to give back to the community and to inspire local youth.
2100 Montgomery St., fortworksart.com
Athlete
Ericka Mason
The Cowtown Elite, a group of Fort Worth women runners, has grown since its days as an informal meet up between people who shared the same passion for placing one foot in front of the other in quick succession. While their goals are lofty — qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Olympic marathon trials — Ericka Mason is undeterred. Running since the fifth grade, Mason went on to compete at Jacksonville State University in both cross-country and track. Mason most recently ran a 2:52:22 at the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon.
Athletic Coach
Shawna Gibson
Shawna “Sho” Gibson is an Ironman triathlete with more than 20 years’ experience training endurance athletes. Currently whipping folks into shape as a certified trainer at The Brick Gym, which she owns, Gibson leads the boot camp offered in the spring, summer, fall and winter. She also leads women of all shapes, ages and sizes through challenging group workouts designed specifically to lean you out, tone you up and get you fit without getting bulky.
6775 Camp Bowie Blvd., thebrickgym.com
Blogger/Local Influencer
Christy Dunaway Smith (SoFortWorthIt)
We can excuse Christy Smith for her appearance on “Real Housewives of Dallas” (it’s the “Dallas” that, of course, makes us cringe), as she still manages an incredibly entertaining blog, SoFortWorthIt. The personal lifestyle blog focuses on home décor inspiration, social events, fashion, beauty and entertainment, all presented in a fun, relatable way. You’ll also see Smith at almost every charity fundraiser in town as an enthusiastic supporter of many nonprofits.
Country Club
Ridglea Country Club
Ridglea Country Club officially opened its course in September of 1954. It measured 6,138 yards from the back tees and played to a par of 71. Now celebrating 60 years of tradition, Ridglea has become known as Fort Worth’s elegant club for the past, present and future. It offers two fine golf facilities: the Family Course and the Championship Course.Both are challenging for even the most-seasoned players and offer driving ranges, short game areas and indoor teaching facilities.
3700 Bernie Anderson Drive, ridgleacountryclub.com
Chef
Kobi Perdue
Now the chef de cuisine at Paris 7th, chef Kobi Perdue has mastered the art of French cooking. He started in the kitchen at an early age and won a tri-county cooking competition when he was 16. Perdue went on to obtain his degree from the Culinary School of Fort Worth and then worked as chef at the Wild Mushroom Steak House for a stint. His mission is to continue the 30-year legacy set forth by Saint Emilion/Paris 7th owners, but also to stay ahead of the culinary curve by incorporating his modern touch.
3324 W. Seventh St., paris7th.com
Festival
Fort Worth Food & Wine
The Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival (FWFWF) brings national and regional attention to the city’s food scene. In addition to showcasing local chefs, restaurants and the farming and ranching community, the annual eating and sipping extravaganza raises funds for culinary scholarships. Spanning over four days and nights in the spring, the festival takes place at some of the hottest venues in town.
High School Sports Team
Aledo Bearcats Football
The Aledo Bearcats football team is a force to be reckoned with. It ended its 2018 season in dominant fashion by winning the state title game against the Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos. The win notches Aledo a record seventh state title in the last decade. It seems the Friday night lights shine a little brighter in this Title Town.
1008 Bailey Ranch Road, aledoisd.org
Local Attraction
Fort Worth Herd
Ever wondered how we got the Cowtown moniker? One of our city’s most popular tourist attractions appears to be popular with the locals, as well. The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District delivers endless possibilities for the ultimate cowboy experience. Chief among those is the Fort Worth Herd, which turns 20 this year, when Texas longhorns trek down Exchange Avenue twice a day, weather permitting. It’s always a jaw-dropping outing.
Exchange Avenue
Local Writer/Author
Jeff Guinn
As a self-described military brat, Jeff Guinn bounced around Europe but spent most of his adulthood in Fort Worth. His sense of the literal in historical fiction has created a large fan base, and he’s known for his meticulous research before embarking on a novel. A former editor and an investigative journalist, Guinn has numerous bestselling works, including Buffalo Trail, Manson, The Last Gunfight and Silver City.
Museum
Kimbell Art Museum
An art-lover’s museum, the Kimbell’s highly curated collection is known to admirers of aesthetics worldwide. The museum’s initial artwork came from the private collection of Kay and Velma Kimbell, and today, the museum houses masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo to Matisse. Admission to the permanent collection is always free, and the museum is easily accessible, leaving your excuses at zero.
3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., kimbellart.org
Neighborhood Association
Ridglea North Neighborhood Association
The historic Ridglea North community has a very active neighborhood association made up of volunteers with the purpose of promoting, preserving and enhancing the quality of life and values of its residents. It acts as an initial point-of-contact for city hall and creates a sense of solidarity among residents.
Neighborhood Park
Morris E. Berney Park
Open from dawn until dusk, this triangular slice of 4 acres located between Curzon, Ridglea and Rosemont avenues is a perfect pit stop. Loved by kids who play to their heart’s content while giving their parents a little break, this charming park is the oldest in Fort Worth.
6301 Curzon Ave.
Nonprofit
Child Care Associates
Delivering a wide range of programs and services to boost early childhood development for those in lower-income families, Child Care Associates has served 568,393 vulnerable young children and their families since 1968. CCA offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs in partnership with local school districts, charter schools and social service providers.
Multiple locations, childcareassociates.org
Philanthropist
Latasha Jackson-McDougle
Orphaned at the age of 18 months when her father killed her mother and then himself, Latasha Jackson-McDougle’s survival of this experience inspired her to devote her life to bringing awareness to domestic violence. Cheryl’s Voice, named in honor of her mother, works to encourage children who have survived and witnessed domestic violence in their homes.
3701 Altamesa Blvd., cherylsvoice.org
Photographer
Crystal Wise, Crystal Clear Photography
When she first started taking photos for money, Crystal Wise says her dad gave her some great advice: “If you’re going to be charging people, you need to know what you’re doing.” She changed majors from business to photojournalism and soon began to make a name for herself as a wedding and portrait photographer; today, she's one of the best wedding/portrait shooters in the biz and has been dabbling in food photography, too. You can see her work in the new, monthly food magazine, Zest 817, and on her website.
Radio Personality
Hal Jay
Hal Jay was born for radio. Initially influenced by his father, who was a radio host in Liberal, Kansas, Jay’s first job was with a radio station in Memphis where Elvis became an acquaintance. Over his nearly 40-year-old career, his accolades have been many, including admittance into the Radio Hall of Fame. As the host of the local WBAP Morning news, Jay has been a key member of the radio broadcast community in North Texas since 1981.
Residential Neighborhood
Mistletoe Heights
Two miles southwest of the Central Business District, Mistletoe Heights is located on the bluffs overlooking Clear Fork. Originally, lots went for $100, but by 1926 they were selling for $1,500. TCU’s move to its current location — and a subsequent streetcar line — was partly to blame for the increase. In 2002, Mistletoe Heights was designated a Historic District by the City of Fort Worth. Houses range from antebellum design and bungalows to modern properties with detached garages and guesthouses.
Wine Expert
Chester Cox
After garnering nearly a decade of experience while working at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Chester Cox worked as sommelier and hospitality manager at Kent & Co. Wines. For the last year, he has worked as “grape dealer” at Ellerbe Fine Foods. Like a fine wine that gets better over time, Cox continues to develop his wine palate, and local oenophiles are grateful.
fortworthfoodand-winefestival.com
Musician/Musical Group
Henry the Archer
The unique sound stylings of this trio have been likened to The Smashing Pumpkins with hints of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Although lead singer Richard Hennessy’s enchantingly nasal-forward high tones invoke punk and traditional rock, there is something folksy that brings to mind Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. Meanwhile, Kevin Geist’s drumming is nothing short of masterful, and bassist Charles Marchbanks pulls everything together with bold cadence.
Editors' Picks:
Annual Event | BoobieQue | boobieque.org
Art Gallery | William Campbell Contemporary Art | williamcampbell-contemporaryart.com
Artist | Sunflowerman(Matthew Miller) | sunflowerman.com
Athlete | Kingsley Ehiemua | Trinity Valley School Football
Athletic Coach | Tim Buchanan | Aledo High School Football
Blogger/Local Influencer | Fort Worth Woman (Michelle Miles) | fortworthwoman.com
Chef | Bria Downey | Clay Pigeon
Country Club | River CrestCountry Club | rivercrest-cc.org
Festival | Fortress Festival | fortressfestival.com
High School Sports Team | Grapevine Girls Golf Team | ghsmustanggolf.com
Local Attraction | Trinity Trails | trinitytrails.org
Local Writer/Author | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Museum | Amon Carter Museum of American Art | cartermuseum.org
Musician/Musical Group | The Cush | thecush.com
Neighborhood Association | Fairmount Neighbood Association | historicfairmount.com
Neighborhood Park | Frank Kent's Dream Park Fort Worth | dreamparkfw.org
Nonprofit | Fortress Youth Development Center | fortressydc.org
Philanthropist | Allan Saxe | University of Texas at Arlington
Photographer | Rambo Elliott | rambophotography.com
Radio Personality | Kris Boyd | think.kera.org
Residential Neighborhood | Historic Southside
Wine Expert | Chris Keel | putacorkinitwine.com
