PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6
DRUID ARTS AWARDS CEREMONY AT THE BAMA THEATRE MARCH 12, 2015
(Tuscaloosa, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will recognize artists, educators, volunteers and patrons of the arts at the 21st Druid Arts Awards on March 12, 2015 at the Bama Theatre. A reception honoring the winners and their families will be held at the theatre’s Greensboro Room at 6 p.m. with the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Admission is $10, and the deadline to purchase tickets in person or reserve by phone is March 2 at 5 p.m. Call 758-5195 for reservations or visit the Arts Council office at 600 Greensboro Avenue in the PARA Building.
In founding and perpetuating the Druid Arts Awards, The Arts Council realized that the number of talented and dedicated people who were working as volunteers, artists, educators and corporate sponsors was very large and growing. The Council also realized that the work of these individuals as well as supportive businesses was not often publicly recognized. It was for this reason that the Druid Arts Awards were established, and it has become a bi-annual presentation to honor these special individuals who have achieved distinction in the arts over a number of years in Tuscaloosa County.
Three nominations- volunteer, artist, and educator- were requested from the community in each of the categories of music, visual arts, dance, literature and theatre. Nominations were also requested for Patron of the Arts, Corporate Sponsor, Tuscaloosa’s Home Grown and Special Awards. Tuscaloosa’s Home Grown was established to honor those native to Tuscaloosa who have become recognized in their field on a national/international level. Individuals or groups who have contributed to or supported the arts through actions outside of the aforementioned categories are honored with a Special Award.
Nominations were presented by citizens of Tuscaloosa County, and a committee comprised of members of The Arts Council Board of Directors made the final selections.
“The Arts are an integral part of our society, influencing our quality of life on a local, state and national level. We chose to honor these individuals for their valuable personal contributions, both artistic and educational, that have impacted our lives with great beauty and creativity,” noted Sandra Wolfe, Executive Director of The Arts Council.
2015 Winners:
Patron of the Arts Award – Judi Rabel
Corporate Sponsor of the Year – Jamison Money Farmer
Special Award – Ruth Jatib O’Connor
Special Award – Ron Montgomery
Special Award – Brian Brooker / Ellis Architects
Home Grown Artist – Chuck Tilley
Special Lifetime Achievement – Sara Turner
Music Volunteer – Dr. Elizabeth Aversa
Music Educator – Paul Houghtaling
Musician – Rob Alley
Theatre Volunteer – Tony Avery
Theatre Volunteer – Richard Livingston
Theatre Educator – Adam Miller
Theatre Artist – Drew Baker
Visual Artist – Tony Brock
Visual Arts Educator – Jamey Grimes
Visual Arts Volunteer – Joanna Jacobs
Dancer – Jayci Kalb
Dance Educator – Alison Hollingsworth
Dance Volunteer – Gail Windham
Literary Artist – Jennifer Horne
The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.
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