JOPLIN — Iolan Braxton Curry added an armful of awards this month for her advertising and design skills.
Curry, a recent graduate of Pittsburg State University with a degree in graphic communications, received four awards at the 2026 AAF Heartland ADDY Awards, including the Best of Show award for her senior project, The Spin Hall Brand Identity.
The awards ceremony was held at Downstream Casino Resort in Joplin.
Curry’s Spin Hall project included a full brand identity system, from logo design, business cards and additional materials like T-shirts, tote bags and stickers.
The Spin Hall project also earned her two Gold ADDYs, one for the project overall, and a second for her business card design.
Curry, daughter of Iolans Heath and Heather Curry, also received a Silver ADDY for a Natural Ties Brand Redesign, which involved creating a new logo for a student club at PSU.
“I’m hoping receiving these awards, especially Best of Show, will strengthen my portfolio,” said Curry, who is in the job market after earning her degree.
“I’ve had a few promising prospects, but nothing has worked out yet.”
In the interim, Curry continues to do freelance work at Braxton Curry Design, which now includes apparel adorned with the “IOLA” design Curry submitted successfully for the Iola CITF-PRIDE Committee’s billboard contest.
Two billboards will feature Curry’s design along U.S. 169 near Iola. You can see her work by visiting Braxton Curry Design on Facebook or visiting her online store here.
