CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts sponsored the Governor’s Arts Awards at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, in Charleston. During the awards ceremony, 11 Governor’s Arts Awards and 10 Legislative Leadership Awards in the Arts were presented. The 6 p.m. program included performances by Brodrick Hammers on piano; poetry reading by Braylie Smolders; choral performance by Pirate Crew of Village of Barboursville Middle School; and show choir performances by The TomCats of Nitro High School, General Admission of Winfield High School, and Voices in Perfection of Capital High School. A description of the awards and recipients is listed below.
The Governor’s Arts Awards are presented biennially to celebrate excellence in the arts in West Virginia. The awards focus attention on the importance of arts to economic development in the Mountain State by honoring individuals and organizations whose creative achievements and significant contributions to the arts enhance life in West Virginia. Matt Thomas of Gilmer County was commissioned by the WVDACH to make the awards.
A panel of members from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and staff of the Department of Arts, Culture and History selected winners who were nominated based on the magnitude of their contributions and achievements, the range of individuals or groups served, the length of time and intensity of their dedication to the arts, and their level of excellence.
GOVERNOR’S ARTS AWARDS RECIPIENTS:
Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement recognizes a lifetime of significant commitment to the arts through personal talent and skills; lifelong arts educational leadership; and support of arts development in West Virginia.
Toneta Akers-Toler, Beckley, Raleigh County
Susan S. Landis Distinguished Service to the Arts – Individual recognizes an individual of exceptional talent, creativity, and energy; who contributes to the arts by fostering growth in arts programs; and represents West Virginia arts with distinction on state, regional, and national levels.
N. David Stern, Charleston, Kanawha County
Susan S. Landis Distinguished Service to the Arts – Organization recognizes an organization that demonstrates exceptional support for talent, creativity and energy; contributes to the arts by fostering growth in arts programs; and represents West Virginia arts with distinction on state, regional, and national levels.
Artbeat Studio of Wood County Society, Parkersburg, Wood County
Artist of the Year recognizes an individual artist who demonstrates excellence in their discipline and whose work significantly impacts and contributes to an appreciation and growth of arts in West Virginia.
Nichole Westfall, Huntington, Cabell County
Arts Organization of the Year recognizes an organization that demonstrates excellence in support of and/or presenting the arts in a way that significantly impacts and contributes to an appreciation or growth of arts in West Virginia.
Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Corporation – Bluefield, Mercer County
Arts in Education – Individual recognizes the work of an individual to strengthen arts education in West Virginia schools and provide creative opportunities for students to participate in arts education.
Tommy Lee Nester, Keyser, Mineral County
Arts in Education – Organization recognizes the work of an organization to strengthen arts education in West Virginia schools and provide creative opportunities for students to participate in arts education.
Capital High School Performing Art Department, Charleston, Kanawha County
Folk Arts – Individual recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership or skill in the field of folk and traditional arts within West Virginia.
Amy Pabst, Leroy, Roane County
Folk Arts – Organization recognizes an organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership or skill in the field of folk and traditional arts within West Virginia.
Arthurdale Heritage, Arthurdale, Preston County
Emerging Artist of the Year recognizes an early-career emerging artist who shows promise in their discipline.
Peggy Owens, Marlinton, Pocahontas County
Emerging Arts Organization of the Year recognizes an emerging West Virginia arts organization that is significantly impacting its community.
Colonial Arts Center, Buckhannon, Upshur County
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARDS:
Arts in Education
Senator Amy Grady
Delegate Marty Gearheart
Community Arts
Senator Laura Wakin Chapman
Delegate Eric Householder
Cultural Facilities
Senator Jack David Woodrum
Delegate Matthew Rohrbach
Folk Arts
Senator Tom Takubo
Delegate George Street
Lifetime Achievement
Senator Mike Woelfel
Delegate Vernon Criss
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the event can be found at https://zenfolio.page.link/1y3jP.
Photo Credit: Stephen Brightwell, West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History