Eight remarkable Alabamians to be honored on May 16
MONTGOMERY, Ala., (February 15, 2024) — Alabama State Council on the Arts
has announced the names of eight individuals that will be honored for their
contributions to our state’s rich cultural landscape during the 2024 Celebration
of Alabama Arts ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
The biennial Celebration of Alabama Arts recognizes notable Alabamians for
their work and contributions to the arts in Alabama, across the United States,
and beyond. The efforts of artists, arts administrators, creative economy
leaders, arts educators, and stewards of traditional art forms across the state
result in prosperous communities. Alabama is strengthened when creativity and
artistic efforts thrive.
“Through their remarkable achievements and unwavering
commitment to the arts, our 2024 honorees have played a pivotal role in shaping
Alabama’s creative landscape. Their work reflects the vibrancy and depth of our
artistic community and illuminate the path for future generations of
artists and creators across our state,” said Dr. Elliot Knight, executive
director of the Council on the Arts.
This year’s award recipients and categories follow:
- Pinky/MM Bass, visual
artist – Alabama Arts Impact Award
- Russell Gulley, musician,
teaching artist, arts administrator – Alabama Arts Impact Award
- Chester Higgins, visual
artist – Alabama Distinguished Artist Award
- Elias Katsaros, visual
artist, iconographer – Alabama Folk Heritage Award
- Kevin King, visual artist, arts advocacy
leader – Alabama Arts Impact Award
- Greta Lambert, actor,
director, teaching artist – Jonnie Dee Riley Little Lifetime Achievement Award
- Monique Ryan, dancer, artistic director – Alabama Arts Impact Award
- Jeanie
Thompson, poet, literary arts advocate – Albert B. Head Legacy
Award
Their
contributions will be recognized at the awards ceremony with memorable
performances in their honor. The free event will be held on May 16 at 7:00 pm at
Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) in Montgomery. Complimentary tickets must be
reserved through the ASF box office. Visit
this link or call 334-271-5353 for ticketing
details. For more information about this year’s event and honorees, go to arts.alabama.gov/celebrate.
###
About
Alabama State Council on the Arts
The Council on the Arts is the official state
agency for the support and development of the arts in Alabama. The Council
works to expand and preserve the state’s cultural resources by supporting
nonprofit arts organizations, schools, colleges, units of local government, and
individual artists. Arts programs, assisted by Council grants, have a track
record of enhancing community development, education, cultural tourism, and
overall quality of life in all regions of the state. Alabama State Council on the Arts grants are
made possible by an annual appropriation from the Alabama Legislature and
additional funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal
agency. Learn more at arts.alabama.gov.