Sarasota’s Living Arts Festival to Honor Local Educators with Two $2,500 Teacher Tribute Awards

Behind every young dancer, musician, and artist stands a teacher who believed in them first. This fall, Sarasota Rising and The Living Arts Festival will honor those teachers through the 2nd Annual David L. & Opal P. Hamblin Teacher Tribute Awards, recognizing educators who use the creative arts to inspire and transform students throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

These awards are named for David and Opal Hamblin, lifelong educators who demonstrated the power of teaching through the arts. David, once a member of the Marching Hundred at the University of Indiana, served as a coach, science teacher, and school superintendent. Opal, a farmer’s daughter with a love of music and art, began her career teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in north-central Indiana. Their son, Dr. Jeffrey Hamblin, sponsors the awards in their honor.

This year, two $2,500 grand prizes will be awarded to recognize excellence in creative arts education:

• one for Musical and Dramatic Instruction 
• one for Dance and Athletics/Sports Instruction

Winning teachers, coaches, and tutors will embody the “artistry of instruction” by using creativity to motivate students to excel in fields ranging from ballet and theatre to instrumental music and martial arts.

Parents, students, and school administrators are invited to nominate a deserving educator by submitting a 500-word essay describing the lasting impact that educator has had. A panel of community leaders, educators, and cultural ambassadors will select the winners.

“The impact a teacher has on our community is almost priceless,” said Jeffery Kin, Executive Director of The Living Arts Festival. “By funding this award, Dr. Hamblin aims to give back to these important voices and to give families and students a voice to express gratitude and highlight these educators.”

Key Dates and Requirements for Submission

• Essay submissions begin August 15, 2026.
  Deadline to submit is October 15, 2026. 
• Suggested essay length is 500 words. 
• Submit your essay online to info@SarasotaRising.org with “Teacher Awards” in the subject line. Alternatively, a hard copy of the essay may be mailed to Sarasota Rising, PO Box 4051, Sarasota, FL 34230.
• Winners will be selected by a panel of community leaders, educators, and cultural ambassadors. The winners will be announced on November 15, 2026, at the closing event, “Kaleidoscope,” at the Sarasota Art Museum. 

Sarasota Rising & The Living Arts Festival cannot be held responsible for information posted or provided by third-party sources. By entering this essay, you affirm that the information included is factual to the best of your knowledge. Fraudulent information or materials found to contain inaccuracies will result in the essay being nullified for this contest. 

For more information contact Teacher Awards at Info@SarasotaRising.org