Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, First Lady Amy Eshleman and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the 2019 Rising Star Honor Roll presented by Allstate. Thirty-five outstanding young artists will be recognized for their creative leadership and exceptional artistic talents during a private reception tonight, August 5, at the Chicago Cultural Center. These young artists were nominated directly by their mentors from arts organizations, school arts programs and community organizations in the following areas: music, theatre, dance, visual arts, media arts and literary arts. The full list of 2019 Rising Star honorees and nominating organizations follows.

This year’s Rising Star honorees represent a vibrancy of creative life and arts education from all across the city. These Rising Stars will also be recognized at the 2^nd Annual YAS! Fest (Youth Arts Showcase) on Saturday, September 21, in Millennium Park. The celebration of Chicago’s talented, creative youth features young artists in music, dance, theatre, spoken word, DJs, design, photography and more. For more information and the most up-to-date festival schedule, visit millenniumpark.org.

“We are shining a light on the immense artistic talent of Chicago’s young people,” said Mark Kelly, commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “We celebrate this year’s Rising Stars as the artists and arts leaders of the future. They inspire other young people to take a creative path.”

2019 Rising Star Honorees and Nominating Organizations

LaVarion Anderson
Nominated by Jane Addams High School for honor in Literary Arts

John Atkins
Nominated by Invictus Theatre Company for honor in Theatre

Precious Atwood
Nominated by Marillac Social Center for honor in Music

Jiana Avila
Nominated by The People's Music School for honor in Music

Christian Ayala
Nominated by The Joffrey Ballet for honor in Dance

Roberto Balderas
Nominated by Yollocalli Arts Reach of the National Museum of Mexican Art for honor in Visual Arts

Sarah Bonds
Nominated by the Chicago High School for the Arts for honor in Theatre

Tanijah Callahan
Nominated by Sherman School of Excellence for honor in Visual Arts

Keith Calloway
Nominated by Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras for honor in Music

Samuel Carter
Nominated by the Chicago Architecture Center for honor in Visual Arts

Elijah Crockett
Nominated by Sullivan High School for honor in Media Arts

Mia Daniels
Nominated by Territory for honor in Visual Arts

Devon Fields
Nominated by Intonation Music for honor in Music

Victor Luis Garcia
Nominated by the Art Institute of Chicago for honor in Visual Arts

Van Gavia
Nominated by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago for honor in Visual Arts

Miclo Gonzalez
Nominated by Little Kids Rock for honor in Music

Clancy Hudson
Nominated by Territory for honor in Media Arts

Rayvaughn Jackson
Nominated by Marillac Social Center for honor in Literary Art

Deianna Jones
Nominated by Lyric Opera of Chicago and Senn High School for honor in Music

Andrea Maldonado
Nominated by the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance for honor in Music

Alfredo Martinez
Nominated by Chicago Public Schools All-City Performing Arts for honor in Music

Lauren Marut
Nominated by Chicago Youth Shakespeare for honor in Theatre

Oscar Mendoza
Nominated by CircEsteem for honor in Theatre

Davita Miranda
Nominated by Marwen for honor in Visual Arts

Daniela Morales
Nominated by the Chicago High School for the Arts for honor in Literary Arts

Jeremy Nohel
Nominated by Merit School of Music for honor in Music

Chris Oropeza
Nominated by Chicago Public Schools Advanced Arts at Gallery 37 for honor in Visual Arts

Nina Outlaw
Nominated by the Chicago High School for the Arts for honor in Dance

Christine Piolet
Nominated by After School Matters for honor in Visual Arts

Ella Rae
Nominated by Collaboraction Theatre Company for honor in Theatre

Jamal Reid
Nominated by Chicago Public Library YOUmedia for honor in Music

Emily Sanchez
Nominated by 826CHI for honor in Literary Arts

Karolina Skoczen
Nominated by Urban Gateways for honor in Visual Arts

Dayana Soto
Nominated by Albany Park Theater Project for honor in Theatre

Diana Tassy
Nominated by Free Spirit Media for honor in Media Arts

About the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

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