The Abbot Kinney Festival Association (AKFA) is accepting nominations of individuals from the community now through Friday, September 9 to be honored with Spirit of Venice Awards during the 2011 Abbot Kinney Festival on Sunday, September 25.
2010 Spirit of Venice Awards winner Jesse Martinez
Since 1984, the Abbot Kinney Festival Association (AKFA) has recognized exemplary residents and community stakeholders nominated for their contributions to the spirit, creativity, and uniqueness of Venice. Past recipients include artists Tibor Jankay and Earl Newman; poet Fred Dewey of Beyond Baroque; community advocates Betsy Goldman, Ivan Spiegel, and Diane Bush; pro skateboarder and Venice Skate Park co-founder Jesse Martinez; nonprofit leaders Steve Clare of Venice Community Housing Corporation, Andy Lipkis of TreePeople, Joel Shapiro of Electric Lodge, Lynn Warshafsky and Jim Hubbard of Venice Arts; and retired LAFD Inspector Mike Neeley and LAPD Sr. Lead Officer Heidi Llanes.
Nominations will be accepted online. Final decisions will be reviewed and made by the AKFA board of directors and awarded during this year’s Abbot Kinney Festival. Questions? Contact Elisa James at elisa@abbotkinney.org.