Barbara and Jim Street
The Arts Alliance Mountain Empire announces the 2025 winners of its 11th annual Arts Achievement Awards. They are Nancy Fischman, Joyce Kistner, Kenn Naegele, Derek Smith, and Barbara and Jim Street.
Nancy Fischman has contributed significantly to the revitalization efforts in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee. In 2016 she purchased a 6,800-square-foot warehouse and converted it into businesses devoted to art: Atelier 133 and Fischman Gallery. The gallery exhibits work by local and regional artists each month as well as hosting music ensembles, poetry readings and theatrical shows. Atelier133 has 14 studio spaces rented out to local artists as well as Lazy Lady Baking Company.
Joyce Kistner has been an active painter her entire life, and in her career as a teacher, she would weave art into various disciplines as well as help to organize school art competitions. Her paintings have won awards at the Virginia Highlands Festival Art Show and one sponsored by the Bristol Art Guild. As an active historian, she has written and illustrated a children’s book on the railroads of Bristol and one about frontier life in Bristol, based on the historic cabin on her property.
Kenn Naegele, director and retired teacher, has had a long personal history in theater. As a teacher at Sevier Middle School in Kingsport for nearly 50 years, he mentored, directed and helped hundreds of students gain self-confidence through theater. At the Kingsport Theatre Guild and Theatre Bristol, he has directed many productions, such as “Oklahoma!,” “Annie,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Elf the Musical,” where he took on the challenge of nurturing actors of all ages to create entertaining theater.
Derek Smith began as a college intern in the scene shop at Barter Theatre in 2002, returned the next year where he served as Scenic Artist until 2011. Beginning in 2013 he was appointed Barter’s Resident Scenic Designer and continues in that role. During his tenure, he has designed scenery for nearly 200 productions, including “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Clue” and “The Three Musketeers.” He is also a distinguished painter, exhibiting at shows and galleries in the region.
Barbara and Jim Street have supported arts organizations throughout the region by volunteering, serving on boards and with their financial gifts. Jim is especially noted for taking it upon himself to make sure that the Paramount Center for the Arts’ roof was adequately replaced, and that Barter Theatre could actually perform theater during COVID at the abandoned Moonlite Drive-In. Barbara currently serves on the Barter Theatre Board and is especially interested in the Rocky Mount State Historic Site and the Tennessee State Museum.
A Gala awards ceremony is held Saturday, May 17 at the Delta Hotel by Marriott (the former Holiday Inn) in Bristol, Virginia, to honor the winners. The Gala consists of a social hour, dinner, entertainment, a silent auction and the awards ceremony. Tickets are $100 for individuals, and tables for eight can be purchased for $800.
For tickets, purchase them on the website of the Arts Alliance Mountain Empire (under the Gala tab) or send a check to AAME Gala, Box 94, Bristol, TN 37621.
These awards come from these categories: Artist—achievement in theater, music, dance, visual arts or literary arts; Arts Educator—achievement in arts education in a college or university, primary or secondary school; Arts Administrators—achievement in the management of arts institutions; and Arts Advocates—achievement in sustaining the arts through volunteering or financial support.
The Arts Alliance Mountain Empire is an arts council formed as a service organization for artists, arts organizations and other cultural endeavors throughout the Mountain Empire. The mission of AAME is to nurture, advocate, and celebrate the arts. AAME fulfills its mission primarily as the publisher of A! Magazine for the Arts and sponsor of the Arts Achievement Awards, but it has also published an arts directory and sponsors a speakers’ series and workshops on arts-related topics.
