Governor’s Arts Awards

2007 Governor’s Arts Awards

Each year, the Kansas Arts Commission hosts an event to honor and celebrate the artists, arts organizations and arts supporters who make Kansas such a wonderful place for the arts.

The 2007 Governor’s Arts Awards was held on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, Washburn University with a reception at the Mulvane Museum just prior.

Two hundred guests, including Governor Kathleen Sebelius and her husband, Judge Gary Sebelius, attended. Everyone enjoyed performances by honoree Kelley Hunt, young violin students of honoree Alice Joy Lewis, and a reading of poems by the incoming Poet Laureate of Kansas Denise Low. Distinguished Arts Award winner Shirley Knight was introduced through film clips from her film and television appearances.

Lawrence artist Ron Hinton created the beautiful metal sculptures presented to each honoree.

Commissioners John Divine and Judy Langley		Actress Shirley Knight and Governor Kathleen Sebelius		Kelley Hunt and Governor Kathleen Sebelius

This year’s honorees were:

Actress Shirley Knight, Distinguished Arts Award
Central National Bank, Junction City – Arts Patron Organization
Elaine Henry, Emporia – Individual Artist
Kelley Hunt, Lawrence – Individual Artist
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, Shawnee – Arts Organization
Alice Joy Lewis, Ottawa – Arts Educator
Mike Michaelis, Wichita – Individual Arts Patron
Jean Ney, Kansas City, Kansas – Arts Advocate