Wichita Arts Council banquet to include tribute to Tanya Tandoc

A special recognition for slain restaurateur Tanya Tandoc will highlight the annual Art Awards presentation by the Wichita Arts Council, the group announced Tuesday.

The award will be presented on Oct. 4 during the Arts Council’s annual banquet, which also will honor nine artists and arts organizations, said Sharon Fearey, a former Wichita City Council member who now serves as events co-chair for the Arts Council.

The council wanted to celebrate Tandoc’s contributions as a supporter of and participant in the local arts scene, Fearey said.

In addition to being a celebrity chef and founder of the popular restaurant Tanya’s Soup Kitchen, Tandoc was well known for contributing to, promoting and encouraging arts and artists in the community, Fearey said.

On a personal level, Tandoc created in ceramics, and one of her plates is on display as part of an exhibition at the Wichita Art Museum. She also played the cello and was an accomplished belly dancer who performed as part of a dance group, Fearey said.

“She just helped make the arts happen,” Fearey said. “There are many, many people in Wichita like this, whose names are synonymous with the arts scene around town. Tanya was one of those people.”

Tandoc’s murder on June 3 reverberated throughout Wichita. Curtis Mitchell, a musician Tandoc had befriended and allowed to live in her basement, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced last month to life in prison without possibility of parole for 50 years.

In addition to the special award for Tandoc, the artists and organizations being honored by the Arts Council are:

▪ Martie Walker, receiving the Gordon W. Evans Award presented by Westar Energy for outstanding leadership and support of the arts.

▪ Ballet Wichita, receiving the arts organization award for a nonprofit group providing arts opportunities in the community, including the “Ballet in the Park” series for families.

▪ Wichita Symphony Orchestra, for its special project “Bluebeard’s Castle.”

▪ Ted Krone, for achievement as an arts educator.

▪ Donna Perline, for arts advocacy by an individual.

▪ Simon McHugh and McHugh Violin, for arts advocacy by a business or group.

▪ Larry Schwarm, for outstanding individual achievement as an artist.

▪ Brendan Whalen, receiving the youth recognition award for achievement and development in the arts by a student.

▪ Samuel Ramey, receiving the Burton Pell award for an outstanding individual in music.

The awards banquet will be held Oct. 4 at the Century II Convention Center. Festivities start with a reception at 4 p.m., followed by dinner at 4:45 and the presentation of awards at 5:30.

An “After Dark Arts Performances” show featuring local performers and organizations will follow the dinner at 6:30 p.m. The show will be open to the general public, not just to people who attended the dinner, Fearey said.

“The best way I can describe it is it’s like an old-time variety show,” Fearey said. “We’re changing it up a little.”

An all-activities ticket is $60 and includes the after-dinner performances, Fearey said. Reserved tables for 10, with complimentary wine, are available at $750.

Admission to just the after-dinner performance is $10.

Tickets for dinner are on sale through www.wichitatix.com. Tickets for the “After Dark Arts Performance” alone can be purchased through that website or at the Century II box office, Fearey said.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Wichita Arts Council banquet to include tribute to Tanya Tandoc."