Amplifying the Arts in the Avenue: Celebrating Partnership and Progress
At Fuse Project, we believe that every child deserves access to creative expression, cultural connection, and community enrichment. That belief has come to life through our continued partnership with Mobile Arts Council and Amp Up Arts, a collaboration that has brought meaningful recognition and new opportunities to students, educators, and artists alike.
A Night of Recognition: The 20th Annual Artys
On April 9th, the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel was filled with energy, music, and celebration as the Mobile Arts Council hosted the 20th annual Arty Awards—Mobile’s only program recognizing excellence and impact across all areas of the arts. With record attendance of over 210 guests, this milestone event honored the individuals, organizations, and educators who are shaping our region’s creative landscape.
We were honored to see Cherrelle Smith (fondly “Mrs. CeCe” to our students), the incredibly talented teaching artist behind our After School Art program at Calloway-Smith Middle School, receive the Emerging Artist Arty Award. Mrs. CeCe’s journey from hairstylist to full-time artist has been marked by passion, persistence, and purpose. Her work, rooted in contemporary African folk art, is empowering – blending vibrant storytelling with deep cultural expression, inspiring students to explore identity, history, and voice through bold, dynamic art.
From Minneapolis to Mobile, Mrs. CeCe’s journey has been marked by passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to using art to build community. Since 2023, she has served as a teaching artist with both Amp Up Arts and Mobile Arts Council, bringing transformative lessons of powerful art forms, meaningful history, and creative self-discovery to our young learners. Her award is a beautiful testament to her dedication, talent, and the impact she continues to make in the lives of young artists in the Avenue.
We were especially thrilled to celebrate our very own Development Director, Mary Frances Clarke, who received the Art Soldier Award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to the arts and to our community. Given to an individual who has dedicated significant time and energy to the arts through volunteerism, activism, and creativity, Mary Frances brings enthusiasm, vision, and a collaborative spirit to everything she does. From her work at Fuse Project to her service with Mobile Ballet and Young Professionals of Mobile, her leadership continues to shape our arts education programs and deepen the impact of our partnerships.
To say that Mary Frances pours her heart and soul into her work is a gross understatement. Her leadership, vision, and deep-rooted love for Mobile have helped shape not only our arts education programming but the very foundation of what Fuse Project is able to accomplish. Through countless hours of coordination, partnership-building, and on-the-ground support, Mary Frances has helped expand access to high-quality arts opportunities for students who need them most, and we are so proud that the Mobile Arts Council chose to honor her with this well-deserved recognition. While the award celebrates her contributions to the arts, the truth is her impact extends far beyond any single category. Her dedication touches every corner of our work in the Avenue, and we cannot thank her enough for the incredible work she does day in and day out. We are incredibly grateful—and lucky—to have her on our team.
Awards were handcrafted by local sculptor Laura Ledbetter, adding a personal and artistic touch to a night that spotlighted creative excellence in our region.
Elevating the Conversation: Amplifying the Arts Podcast
In April, Mary Frances was also featured in Episode 4 of Amplifying the Arts, a podcast from Amp Up Arts that highlights voices working to expand access to arts education. In her conversation with Kat Stoves, Site Director for Amp Up Arts Mobile, Mary Frances shared real strategies for building cross-sector partnerships that close opportunity gaps and bring creativity into classrooms.
Together, they explored how partnerships between organizations like Fuse Project, Amp Up Arts, and the Mobile Arts Council can identify needs, align resources, and empower students—especially in historically under-resourced schools. You can watch the full episode here.
Investing in Creative Futures
This year’s recognition at The Artys and the thoughtful discussion on Amplifying the Arts are powerful reminders of what’s possible when we work together. It emphasizes what we already know – when students have access to meaningful, culturally relevant arts experiences, their confidence, creativity, and connection to community grow. Through our partnership with Mobile Arts Council and Amp Up Arts, Fuse Project is helping bring these opportunities to life, sparking curiosity and cultivating talent.
But there is still so much more we can do. With continued support, we can expand our After School Art programming, bring more teaching artists into our schools, and ensure that every child in the Avenue community has the chance to explore, express, and imagine.
If you believe in the power of art to change lives, consider making a donation to Fuse Project today. Your gift directly supports the creative programming that’s helping our students shine in the classroom, on the stage, and in the community.
For more about our work with Mobile Arts Council and Amp Up Arts, revisit some of our past blog posts:
After School Art Comes to Life at Calloway-Smith
A Semester of Creativity and Confidence
New Clubs Launch at Florence Howard Elementary
As we look to the future, we remain deeply grateful for the creative, committed partners who help us bring joy, beauty, and possibility into classrooms and into the lives of the students we serve. Together, we’re building a future where every child has the tools and the inspiration to dream big.
