(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will recognize artists, educators, volunteers and patrons of the arts tonight at the 24th Druid Arts Awards ceremony at the Bama Theatre. The winners and their families will be honored at a reception at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center at 6 p.m. with the awards presented at 7 p.m. in the theatre. The Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre will perform a short program prior to the ceremony in the theatre.
In founding and perpetuating the Druid Arts Awards, The Arts Council determined that local citizens 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.
Nominations for 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 submitted by citizens of Tuscaloosa County, and a committee comprised of members of The Arts Council Board of Directors made the final selections.
2022 Winners:
Music
Artist – Osiris Molina
Educator –John Cain
Theatre
Volunteer – Cooper Shattuck
Educator – Lyndell McDonald
Artist – Norquina “Q” Rieves
Visual Art
Artist – Michael Moore
Educator – Ruth O’Connor
Literary
Artist – Laura Hunter
Educator – Michael Martone
Dance
Artist – Lucy Rogers
Educator – Alden Phillips McShan
Volunteer – Theresa Rubio
Special Award – Gail Windham and Anna Gantt
Home Grown Award – Ransom Wilson
Corporate Sponsor of the Year – McAbee Construction
Patron of the Arts – Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports in Memory of Bill Buchanan
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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