ShoreLake Arts presents The HeART Award to Laura James & Nancy Malek

ShoreLake Arts presented their annual HeART Award for 2025 to Laura James & Nancy Malek

Presented to a member or members of the ShoreLake Arts community whose long-standing and consistent commitment to the organization has advanced our mission in significant ways. 

The award winner’s lasting impact has been vital to our organization’s ongoing health and longevity. Such individuals are the very heart of ShoreLake Arts.

The HeART Award – 2025 Laura James & Nancy Malek

This year ShoreLake Arts is proud to present The HeART Award to Laura James and Nancy Malek.

Laura James

Laura James has been a community contributor for many years. While honing her leadership skills at Microsoft and Amazon over the years, Laura put them to good use as the chairperson of the Ridgecrest Elementary School PTA and one of the founding members of the Ridgecrest Halloween Parade. 

It was ShoreLake Arts’ lucky day when in 2023 Laura joined the board. Which is why when they looked for a new Executive Director, they didn’t look further than Laura.

Laura James went above and beyond to not only helm the ship, but bring ShoreLake Arts into our new location in the Ridgecrest Neighborhood! 

It was Laura who created connections between the businesses in the Ridgecrest area and their owners. She put all of the pieces together to create a space that will host sales for local artists, classroom space, office space and a cozy gathering place for those who want to talk art or find out what is going on in the local art scene in Shoreline.

Nancy Malek

Nancy Malek is a teacher and artist in the Shoreline area. Nancy has been a member of the ShoreLake Arts board for 6 years and is currently the board president. Through Laura’s association with the board, she was able to reach out to Nancy when a Camp Director was needed last summer. 

Nancy volunteered her time to work with the art teachers to create a vibrant and exciting summer camp model that includes opportunities for students from kindergarten through middle school to attend classes that teach principles of art in engaging and fun ways. 

She also restarted adult art classes working with local artists to create visual arts opportunities here in Shoreline.

Other 2025 awards were presented to Patty Hale, Rui Bao, and Megan Kogut & Jarred Swalwell