2014 Governor's Arts Awards Winners Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OKLAHOMA CITY (November 10, 2014) - The Oklahoma Arts Council has announced the names of 13 individuals and 7 organizations that will be honored for their contributions to Oklahoma's arts and cultural industry during the 39th annual Governor's Arts Awards.
Governor Mary Fallin will present the awards during a special ceremony at the Oklahoma state Capitol on Thursday, December 4. The ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the fourth floor rotunda. A reception on the Capitol's first floor will follow. The event is free and open to the public.
Executive Director Amber Sharples said the Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to honor a diverse group of individuals and organizations representing communities throughout the state.
"Recipients of the Governor's Arts Awards truly reflect the spirit of Oklahomans everywhere. They are generous with their time, talents, and resources, and they are devoted to their communities and state, knowing how important the arts are to both." Sharples said. "We look forward to giving back to them by recognizing and celebrating their efforts."
Governor's Arts Awards recipients are selected from submitted nominations by members of the Governor's Arts Awards Selection Committee. This year's honorees include:
The Governor's Award recognizes longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts. Honorees are:
Cotton County Art Council, Walters
Judy Love, Oklahoma City
The Business in the Arts Award recognizes individuals, businesses and corporations that exhibit outstanding support of the arts in Oklahoma. Honorees are:
Fred Jones Family Foundation, Oklahoma City
The Community State Bank, Poteau
The Media in the Arts Award is given to an individual member of the media or media outlet that demonstrates commitment to the arts in Oklahoma documented through public awareness, support, fairness, initiative, creativity and professionalism in reporting. The honoree is:
Nancy Hermann, Tulsa
The Arts in Education Award recognizes an individual, organization, school, educator or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefitting youth and/or arts in education. Honorees are:
deadCENTER Film Festival, Oklahoma City
Leonardo's Children's Museum, Enid
Katherine Liontas-Warren, Lawton
Denise Lovell, Atoka
Ron Predl, Tulsa
The Community Service Award recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism. Honorees are:
Daniel J. Brackett, Oklahoma City
Cynthia Kent, Lawton
Julia Kirt, Oklahoma City
Ann and Chuck Neal, Miami
Vickie Norick, Oklahoma City
Dr. Lester Shaw, Tulsa
The George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award recognizes an Oklahoma government official or entity for outstanding support of the arts. The honoree is:
State Representative Lee Denney, Cushing
A Special Recognition Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a unique contribution in support of the arts. Honorees are:
Oklahoma Community Theatre Association, Oklahoma City
Tulsa's Young Professionals, Tulsa
The Marilyn Douglass Memorial Award recognizes an outstanding Arts Council member and was established in 1980, in honor of Marilyn Douglass, a former council member. The honoree is:
James A. Pickel, Oklahoma City
For more information, visit arts.ok.gov.
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The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The Council's mission is to lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans. The Council provides more than 500 grants to over 300 organizations in communities statewide each year, organizes professional development opportunities for the state's arts and cultural industry, and manages hundreds of works of art in the public spaces of the state Capitol.
**EDITORS: Photos (or logos) and bios are available for each award recipient. Please contact Joel Gavin, Director of Marketing & Communication, at (405) 521-2037 or joel.gavin@arts.ok.gov.