Home » News briefs on cultural events around Kentucky – September 2011

News briefs on cultural events around Kentucky – September 2011

By wmadministrator

The Kentucky Arts Council has announced the 2011 recipients of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, the commonwealth’s highest honor in the arts. Recipients will be recognized by Gov. Steve Beshear at a ceremony and celebration Oct. 20 at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.

“These people have done so much to advance the arts in Kentucky and bring attention to Kentucky as a great place to live, work and play,” said Gov. Beshear.

“Their contributions have been generous and their achievements extraordinary.”

The Governor’s Awards in the Arts are presented in nine different categories, including the Business Award to honor a Kentucky business for outstanding support of the arts. Alltech, an animal health supplements maker with world headquarters in Nicholasville, is this year’s recipient.

The Milner Award, established in 1978 to honor the late B. Hudson Milner, is the most prestigious. Internationally recognized artist Adalin Wichman of Lexington is the 2011 recipient for numerous artistic and philanthropic contributions in Kentucky. Wichman designed the Eclipse Award trophy given annually by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Christian rock and pop musician Steven Curtis Chapman will receive the National Award. Chapman has produced 20 albums, won five Grammys, 56 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards and been GMA artist of the year seven times.

Kenneth F. vonRoenn Jr. of Louisville will receive the Artist Award for lifetime achievement by a Kentucky resident artist.

The Community Arts Award for an individual or organization making a positive impact on the community will go to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah.

The Education Award for 2011 is going to the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) in Lexington.

Helen LaFrance Orr of Mayfield will receive the Folk Heritage Award for 2011. In spite of having various full-time non-arts occupations, 90-year old LaFrance Orr has always found time to paint and has gained recognition as one of the foremost folk artists in America.

U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, a native of Harlan County who represents New York’s 28th Congressional District and chairs the House Rules Committee, will receive the Government Award. She is longtime co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus.

Western Kentucky University anthropology and folk studies professor Erika Brady of Bowling Green will receive the Media Award. She is the longtime producer and co-host of “Barren River Breakdown” on WKU Public Radio.

Kentucky Crafted:The Market Returns to Lexington in 2012
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Kentucky Crafted: The Market will return to Lexington in 2012. The award-winning arts marketplace, which had its debut in 1981 at the Kentucky Horse Park, will come home after a long run in Louisville at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The annual wholesale/retail show of art, craft, books, music and artisan food products will take place March 1-4 at the Lexington Convention Center, 430 W. Vine St.

“We’re very excited about the move to Lexington,” said Lori Meadows, executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council, which produces the event. “The high energy of Lexington is very much in tune with what our artists have to offer.”

The first two days of The Market are the wholesale trade show days, which are open exclusively to qualified business owners who sell products in retail venues.

The wholesale days act as an economic generator for Kentucky, annually attracting 500-600 buyers from 15-20 states.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market opens to the public on March 3-4, giving customers an opportunity to purchase new work before it hits the store shelves or is installed on gallery walls.