2025 Community Excellence Awards Presented 

April 2, 2026
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The City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, together with the Public Recreation and Parks Board, Nature Centers Commission, Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust, Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board and Evergreen Cemetery Association presented the 2025 Community Excellence Awards at the Historic Thomas Center in a ceremony on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Held annually, this ceremony recognizes volunteers and community members who help make Gainesville a haven for nature, athletics and the arts.

The city’s Public Recreation and Parks Board presented the Albert “Ray” Massey Citizen Volunteer Award to Nicole Cannady for dedicating her time and energy to promote and/or improve recreational activities in the City of Gainesville.

In recognition of their positive contributions to Gainesville’s natural environment, the city’s Nature Centers Commission presented the Star Volunteer Award to Les Caraher, Chris Landaeta, Gina Spaulding and Radheya Torres.

The Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust awarded the Public Art Award to Leslie Tharpe and Turbado Marabou for their contributions to public art in the community.

The Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board presented five awards to businesses and individuals. 

The Business Arts Award was awarded to Heartwood Soundstage for contributing significantly to the arts in the city by offering art programs and events. For contributing significantly to the arts in the city, the Individual Arts Award was presented to Wayne Irwin, founder and program director of local radio station WMBT, more commonly called “The Wombat.” The Emerging Artist Arts Award was presented to Bella Rootz, a promising, emerging artist in the community. Alyne Harris and Ernest Lee were both posthumously recognized with the Lennie Kesl Lifetime Arts Award.

The Evergreen Cemetery Association of Gainesville, Inc. presented the inaugural Spirit of Evergreen Award to Don Barber in honor of his dedication to the city-owned and run Evergreen Cemetery.

The City Commission and the staff of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs extend their gratitude for everything these individuals have done and continue to do, strengthening our parks, improving our community and providing new pathways for the arts to flourish.

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