John and Lisa Deyo were this year’s Austin ArtWorks Festival Award winners. The award was presented to them on Friday by ArtWorks Festival co-chair Bonnie Rietz.

“It’s a little overwhelming,” John said. “We’re honored to be thought of so highly in the arts community. It’s very humbling.”

“I thought in all sincerity (the award) was for one of the top artists,” Lisa said. “Then (Bonnie) mentioned a bookstore.”

John has been an active participant and leader in the theatre arts community for 40 years. He is currently the co-executive director of Summerset Theatre and is the technical director for the Riverland Community College Theatre. He also works with the Matchbox Children’s Theatre and theatre at Austin schools.

“It’s a major part of who I am,” he said. “I do everything I can to promote theater throughout the community.”

Lisa, who teaches at Southgate Elementary, is the owner of Sweet Reads Book Store on Main Street. She has hosted open mic poetry nights at the store as well as meet-and-greets for local authors. She has also featured numerous authors at Sweet Reads during the Austin ArtWorks Festival.

For both, the award was unexpected.

“I was blown away,” Lisa said. “I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t speak, and I know that’s a shock to everybody.”

“It was an honor and humbling,” John said.