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Meet the 4 North Texas artists lending their incredible talents at the BCA 2021 Obelisk Awards!

Every year, the Business Council for the Arts (BCA) honors businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, and individuals who support North Texas artists and the arts & culture scene in exceptional ways.

Every year, the Business Council for the Arts (BCA) honors businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, and individuals who support North Texas artists and the arts & culture scene in exceptional ways. This year's Obelisk Awards will celebrate the continued connection between commerce and culture that BCA strives to cultivate in North Texas.

(The 33rd annual Obelisk Awards will be presented on Wednesday, November 17 at the  Fairmont Dallas. Tickets and sponsorship information can be found here.)

Meet the four North Texas artists whose talents are bringing the 2021 Obelisk Awards to life this year!

Polly Gessell is a North Texas Artist specializing in glass.
Polly Gessell is a North Texas Artist specializing in glass.
This is the bespoke award crafted by Polly Gessell for BCA's 2021 Obelisk Awards!
This is the bespoke award crafted by Polly Gessell for BCA's 2021 Obelisk Awards!

North Texas Artist #1 - Polly Gessell, glass artist

Polly will craft a bespoke Obelisk Award for each of this year’s honorees, showcasing her signature sandblasting technique of creating layered textures on glass with stunning effect. Polly’s 12 exceptionally crafted works are underwritten by the Craig and Kathryn Hall Foundation. 

Athor/Laurentia, 2019, a piece by Zeke Williams. This artwork is featured on BCA's graphic designs promoting the 2021 Obelisk Awards.
Athor/Laurentia, 2019, a piece by Zeke Williams. This artwork is featured on BCA's graphic designs promoting the 2021 Obelisk Awards.

North Texas Artist #2 - Zeke Williams, artist/writer

The 2021 Obelisk Awards graphics are comprised by detail of Athor/Laurentia, 2019, by local Dallas artist Zeke Williams, represented by Erin Cluley Gallery. Zeke is an artist, writer for Glasstire, and currently an MFA candidate from Texas Christian University.  

L to R: North Texas artists Roberta Rast Smith and Joanna Ridgway, better known together as June Blount.
L to R: North Texas artists Roberta Rast Smith and Joanna Ridgway, better known together as June Blount.

North Texas Artists #3 and #4 - Joanna Ridgway and Roberta Rast Smith, June Blount

Joanna Ridgway, Managing Director & Head of Southwest Region at Santander Bank will give a special presentation, accompanied by Roberta Rast Smith on fiddle. The duo -- known professionally as June Blount -- perform Celtic, Bluegrass, classic, and contemporary hits. The duo also provides music education opportunities in Dallas.  


Did you know Local Profile's publishers are co-chairing the BCA 2021 Obelisk Awards?