Lee Toy Award Nomination for Deb Lenzen and Mike Shaw
A number of years ago, I was competing at my first AKA convention in kitemaking. It was all new and exciting (and nerve wracking). That’s when I first became aware of Deb Lenzen, who was positioned in a corner with her stunning kite with its Native American theme. I can still see her standing there with the most lovely smile on her face. It wasn’t long before I met her partner Mike Shaw and even way back then I was taken with the quality and size of their body of original art kites. I learned that they work independently of each other when it comes to creating kites. Each has their own style. If one or the other was to put on a show, the sky would be filled with unique beauty. When they fly together, the display is so very impressive that it’s hard to imagine that just two people created all of those wonders. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to fly with them at festivals here and internationally. In every case I’ve been impressed with how seriously they take the need to put on a great show for the spectators. They’re out there first thing in the morning and are working hard for the whole day, each and every day of the festival. And they’re quick to lend a hand whenever one is needed to sort out any of those issues that can crop up with lots of kites sharing a defined piece of sky. They’ve garnered many awards along the way. Two individuals, so impressive in their own right, who together bring an even better whole. They continue to create kites and they’re out there energetically putting them up in the air, delighting all who see them. We’re so lucky to have them as part of our kiting community.
