Duncan Arts Hall of Fame ceremony Jan 25 to honor local artists and trailblazers

The Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame is set to honor exceptional contributors to the local arts scene at its 2025 ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Simmons Center at 6:30 p.m.  

General admission tickets are $35 and include the post-show reception with open bar, hors d’ oeuvers, and live music. 

VIP tickets are $75 and include Preferred parking; pre-show reception at 5:30pm; post-show reception with open bar, hors d’ oeuvers, and live music, chance to win a painting by Eve Cornejo.

Performers include Heartbeat Dance; Laura Leighe, Michael Wylder, and Kyle Gossett; Blake and Chelsea Parks; and Haley Morrow and Stephen Robinson.

The Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame currently encompasses Duncan plus many of the surrounding towns, such as Bray, Empire, Loco, Marlow, Comanche, Meridian, Ratliff City, Rush Springs, Velma, Waurika, and Walters. 

Committee volunteer include Martha Burger, Sharon Burum, Debbie Duggar, Gina Flesher, Sherry Gossett, Stephanie Gregston, Michael Harris, Carol Murphy, Cindy Parks, Joe and Jo Ann Pierce, Darcy Reeves, Lana Sleeper, and Edie Stewart.

And they always looking for more volunteers!

The inductees for 2025 are:

Pathfinder Award - Merle and Priscilla Brandon - The Brandons owned and operated “Brandon’s Music Company” in downtown Duncan for decades. They impacted countless lives of many students leading them in a positive direction musically.

Artist, Dave Carney - Dave attended Velma-Alma School and has a huge musical background performing with numerous bands. He is currently the road manager for Keith Urban and has toured Australia with him 15 times. 

Artist, Robby McMurtry - Robby graduated from Velma-Alma High School and became an illustrator, novelist, painter, playwright, teacher, and storyteller. He wrote several historical graphic novels, including one about Jesse Chisholm. He passed away in 2012. 

Pathfinder Award - Darcy Reeves - Darcy has been the executive director of the Chisholm Trail Arts Council (CTAC) for over ten years and has been extremely instrumental in promoting the arts in Duncan and in Stephens County. She is responsible for four main programs - Art Education in Schools, Arts Explosion, the CTAC Art Gallery, and the CTAC Live Concert Series.

Artist, Jennifer Steil - Jennifer has taught art in public school classrooms, private lessons at her Cedar Cove, at Gabriel’s House, The Cancer Center, at Arts Explosion and more, generating a huge impact on many of the lives of children and adults. 

Patron, JD Taylor - JD has been an astounding leader of the entire technological system for the whole Duncan district for the past 26 years. He has also voluntarily helped local organizations with videos and recording, such as United Way, Red Cross, Cancer Society, CTAC, Humane Society, Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., and Duncan Jaycees.

The Chisholm Trail Arts Council, Duncan Little Theater, Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, and Heartbeat Dance will each present awards during the evening recognizing individuals who have positively impacted their organizations.

This year those awardees are:

CTAC – Lou Baggett (Ambassador Award)

DLT – Michael Harris and Floyd Wininger (Ovation Awards)

CTHC – Jay Snider (Lead Rider Award)

Heartbeat – Jeff Gregston (Shining Star Award)

A reception will follow immediately after the awards show. There will be artwork displayed from local artists, finger foods, an open bar, and music provided by Lillie Hodgson on piano. Ticket price includes the show and the reception.

Tickets can be purchased online or in person or by phone at the Simmons Center (580-252-2900) starting in December.

$35 general admission for the show and reception. Doors open at 6:00. Event starts at 6:30. General seating.

$75 VIP - VIP perks - parking privileges, private meet and greet (drinks and snacks) with the artists prior to the event at 5:30, sectioned off seating in the theater, name entered into a drawing for an Eve Cornejo art piece (must be present to win.)

By attending the Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame on January 25, you are showing your support for the performers, award recipients, and the inductees! This is the most important, but as an added bonus, you are also showing support for the Simmons Center because the proceeds will go towards making improvements for their theatre. Funds used toward the theatre so far have been a new lighting system for the stage, new microphones, and basic maintenance.