Thank you to everyone who made THE pARTy! 2024 a huge success!
Celebrating Creative Distinction
- presented by -
Photos by Doug Coombe
The 2024 Creative Washtenaw Medals for Arts, Sciences & Humanities
Monday, September 30, 2024.
Morris Lawrence Building
Washtenaw Community College
4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Lifetime Achievement
Ron Brooks
Outstanding Service
Mike Farah
Emcee
Neda Ulaby
NPR Art Desk Reporter
Outstanding Service #2
Deb Polich
Ignitors
Jim Fleming & Eleni Kelakos
Thank you for pARTy-ing and celebrating with us!
THE pARTy! is Creative Washtenaw's signature benefit event celebrating the arts + creative industries in Washtenaw County.
The highlight of THE pARTy! is always the presentation of the Creative Washtenaw Medals for Arts, Sciences & Humanities honoring and celebrating the extraordinary achievements of those in Washtenaw County who advance and increase awareness of the arts + creative industries in the greater Ann Arbor area and beyond.
Medalists make their mark through their accomplishments, leadership and investment of time, talent and resources thus setting the standard for excellence and serving as the example for others to follow.
Featuring - Jordan Nik Art
Intrinsic Sponsor
Inspiration Sponsor
Innovation Sponsors
Insight Sponsors
Honorary Committee
Britany Affolter-Caine & David Caine
Sarah Calderini, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Anna Calderon & Lindzie Swain
Dennis Carter
Michelle Deatrick
Ken Fischer
Lesa Huget, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Jill McDonough & Greg Merriman
Nawal Motawi, Motawi Tileworks
Molly Motherwell, 89.1 WEMU
Jan Muhleman & Tom Hollyer
Jean P. Rowan
Karen Ufer
More about the 2024 Medalists
2024 LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT MEDAL
For outstanding and sustained artistic and creative accomplishments within the arts, sciences and/or humanities receiving national and/or international acclaim.
Ron Brooks, the Mayor of Ann Arbor Jazz.
Ron Brooks began his jazz journey after high school in Ann Arbor. Brooks went to Eastern Michigan University for his undergraduate and followed it up with Master's and Ph. D. work at the University of Michigan. While in college, Brooks competed in and won the Notre Dame Inter-Collegiate Jazz Festival with the Bob James Trio. The legendary producer Quincy Jones took notice and invited the trio to record on Mercury Records. Brooks recorded for the Blue Note Record label and Strata Records with the Contemporary Jazz Quintet, a Detroit-based ensemble. In 1984, Brooks opened the Bird of Paradise Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, where he presented and introduced jazz greats to audiences for more than 20 years. Brooks was often on stage playing right beside these world-renowned musicians. As a “side gig” Brooks, with his degree in Education Psychology, served as the director of the Dispute Resolution Center.
2024 OUTSTANDING SERVICE MEDALS
For outstanding leadership and significant contributions made to further the fields of the arts, sciences and humanities in Washtenaw County, statewide, nationally and/or internationally.
Mike Farah, Funny of Die, CEO
Raised in Ann Arbor, Mike headed to Hollywood after college. His first job in “the industry” was as a food expeditor and then…he was fired! Still determined, he stuck it out. Farah joined Will Farrell’s team at Funny or Die in 2008 when it was a fledgling production company that premiered on social media. Mike was its first producer, and then took over the reins as CEO in 2016. He has helped grow the company to a full-service independent studio with a uniquely high profile across multiple forms of media, guided by a mission of not only making people laugh, but also inspiring critical thinking and social change. Select credits include two-time Emmy-winner Between Two Ferns, the Peabody Award-winning American Vandal, the iconic television show Billy on the Street, and the pop-culture film phenomenon Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Listen to this 2022 creative:impact interview
Deb Polich, Artrain & Creative Washtenaw
With a career that has spanned 38 years Deb Polich, president and CEO of Artrain and Creative Washtenaw, is retiring at the end of 2024. She has championed the arts + creative industries in her professional, volunteer and personal life. With a degree in arts management from Eastern Michigan University, Polich began her professional career in 1986 at the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. She then took the helm of Artrain in 1993. She oversaw this museum-on-a-train that introduced the arts as it traveled the nation’s railroads to hundreds of communities. Under her leadership, Artrain received the National Medal for Museum Service, presented by Mrs. Laura Bush at a White House ceremony in 2006. Polich accepted a dual appointment at Creative Washtenaw in 2013. A regional agency, Creative Washtenaw’s mission is to provide services, support and advocate for artists, creative workers, organizations, businesses, educational and government entities. Polich is the award-winning host of creative:impact on 89.1WEMU, serves on the board of Michigan Works! Southeast and is the Americans for the Arts Michigan state advocacy captain. Polich is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Michigan and EMU.
2024 IGNITORS MEDAL
For outstanding leadership and significant contributions made to further the fields of the arts, sciences and humanities in Washtenaw County, statewide, nationally and/or internationally.
Jim Fleming & Eleni Kelakos, a creatively dynamic husband and wife team!
Jim Fleming found his way to the Ann Arbor area in the 1970s as one of the founders of Black Sheep Repertory Theater in Manchester. Having discovered that this was the region where he wanted to live, he set down roots. In 1979 he started Fleming Artists, a touring artists agency. Considered a mentor and highly respected in the industry, his artists roster includes Judy Collins, Jeff Daniels, Tom Paxton, Holly Near and Joshua Davis now and, over the years, many of the finest touring musicians to grace stages across the world. Listen to this 2017 creative:impact interview.
Eleni Kelakos, a.k.a. The Speaker Whisperer®, is a presence and presentation expert, and the president of the Eleni Group established in 2003. She uses performance techniques learned over twenty years as a professional actor and award-winning, nationally touring, singer/songwriter to help speakers and business leaders across the globe speak & present with more charisma, confidence, and impact. When she is not coaching individuals or facilitating trainings at companies like General Motors, Allstate, Little Caesar’s Pizza, and Kubota Tractors, Eleni practices what she preaches, firing up hearts and minds with her signature keynote presentations at conferences nationwide. Listen to this 2023 creative:impact interview
