At the Spirit Awards, a grand party to benefit Maud Morgan Arts, guests will enjoy sparkling drinks, festive desserts, live music, a silent auction of hand-painted platters . . . and a row of 3D printers spewing forth customized, computer-generated jewelry. This combination of convention and innovation is fitting at the Spirit Awards, an event that connects artists and art-lovers across generations to honor the legacy of artist Maud Morgan.

The Spirit Awards also celebrates Maud Morgan Arts. When fabric artist and First Night Boston founder Clara Wainwright received the first Spirit Award in 2003, the arts center existed only on paper. Now Maud Morgan Arts is a thriving community resource for arts education where people of all ages can experience the transformative power of creativity, and this September, Wainwright will present the 2013 Spirit Award to Gideon Weisz, a sculptor, jewelry-maker and Maud Morgan Arts teacher.

Each aspect of the Spirit Awards highlights one of the many roles that Maud Morgan Arts serves in the community. Activities will be held inside the Maud Morgan Arts building where each studio is ideally equipped for ceramics, printmaking, drawing, painting, or sculpture, while the award ceremony will take place outside among site-specific art installations. Gideon Weisz designed the 3D printed jewelry and the dazzling light installations, and both Weisz and Wainwright have exhibitions on display during the event, utilizing the two galleries at Maud Morgan Arts (the Chandler Gallery and the Johnson Family Entranceway Gallery) that feature numerous shows throughout the year. Guests will have the opportunity to share their stories about Wainwright, Weisz, and Maud Morgan with a roving videographer, an activity that speaks to the many connections Maud Morgan Arts fosters.

Acclaimed Boston-area artists, including Todd McKie, Mark Cooper, and Wainwright herself, donated their time and skill to paint gorgeous platters for the silent auction, demonstrating the esteem with which local professional artists regard the arts center. Finally, the award ceremony—the soul of the benefit—embodies the spirit of Maud Morgan Arts. When Wainwright hands the Spirit Award to Weisz, it will symbolize the passing down of artistic wisdom through the generations, the cycle of teaching and learning, and the value of both tradition and originality. These concepts are an integral part of every class, every workshop, and every gallery exhibit at Maud Morgan Arts.

The Spirit Awards Benefit honoring Clara Wainwright and Gideon Weisz will be held on Sunday, September 22, from 7-9 PM.