Applause for the arts

Governor’s awards honor artists, patrons, corporations for contributions

Awards were presented by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to eight honorees at the Governor’s Arts Awards luncheon, held March 14 at the Governor’s Mansion. The affair was hosted by the Arkansas Arts Council.

During the program, the governor noted the importance of the arts and art patrons to the state, saying they “drive a significant portion of our economy.” He congratulated the honorees for their “unique contributions to the arts in Arkansas,” and, with the help of Arkansas Arts Council Executive Director Patrick Ralston, he presented the honorees with awards made by glass artist Elizabeth James of Springdale.

Receiving awards were Sam and Barbara Tobias of Mena, Arts Community Development Award; Art Porter Music Education, Arts in Education Award; Wright Lindsey and Jennings LLP, Corporate Sponsorship of the Arts Award; Freda Cruse Hardison of Mountain View, Folklife Award; Reese Rowland, Individual Artist Award; Johnelle Hunt of Rogers, Patron Award; Thom Hall, Lifetime Achievement Award; and the late Max Elbo of Eureka Springs, Judges Recognition Award.

R.S. McCullough, Pam Smith and Gwendell and Sterling Ingram

Honoree Freda Hardison, Jo Hart and Mayor Roger Gardner, all of Mountain View; Virginia Hardison of Memphis; Beau Hardison, also of Mountain View; and Harry Patterson of Wichita Falls, Texas

Jake Fair, Steve Lancaster, Nate Coulter, Kathryn Pryor, Meredith Laury and Ashley Wardlow

Peter Lane, honoree Johnelle Hunt of Rogers, Janis Kearney of Little Rock and Barb Putman

Wendell Hall, Cindy Momchilou, honoree Thom Hall and Nancy Delamar

Honoree Reese Roland (center) with his sons, Preston and Pierce

Wendy and Parrish Carlisle with Selena Harris, wife of the late Max Elbo, one of the honorees

Honorees Sam and Barbara Tobias of Mena