According to the public relations office of St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper and the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs have announced ten talented honorees for the President's Arts Awards, celebrating its twentieth year honoring the artists and art patrons of St. Tammany Parish.
"The President's Arts Awards is a treasured celebration of the artists and patrons who brighten our communities with their culinary, literary, visual and performative skills," said President Cooper. "I am incredibly thankful to the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs for their continued commitment to fostering and promoting arts programs that brighten the parish we call home."
"Every year, The President's Arts Awards allows us to showcase a wide range of local talent, from beloved culinary institutions to masters of writing, music, dance and so much more," said Commission of Cultural Affairs Chair Kelly Elliott. "Now in its twentieth year, the President's Arts Awards has become a cherished tradition, giving artists and art patrons the proper recognition they deserve."
The honorees for the 20th Annual President's Arts Awards are as follows: The Culinary Award goes to The Pizza Man of Covington; the Musical Artist of the Year is 12 Stones; the Performing Artist of the Year is John Carambat; the Visual Artist of the Year is Suzanne King; the Literary Artist Award goes to John Ed Bradley; and the Outstanding Service Award goes to STARC.
The Patron of the Year was named as Ballard Brands; the President’s Award goes to Joshua Wichterich; the Native Son Award goes to Blake Nelson Boyd; and the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Tanya Firmin Dischler.
According to the announcement the honorees will be celebrated in a special invitation-only ceremony held at the River Mill Center in Covington on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Entertainment will include the Northshore Louisiana Chapter of the American Harp Society. Local artist Solange Ledwith of Swamp Girl Glass Blowing LLC will return to create this year's awards.
The St. Tammany President’s Arts Awards is held annually to recognize outstanding artists in St. Tammany Parish. The recipients are selected by the Parish President and the Commission on Cultural Affairs and is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
