Awards salute top arts patrons

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By Michael McNutt
Published: November 29, 2007

Gov. Brad Henry challenged supporters of the arts Wednesday "to try a little harder, work a little longer on promoting the arts in our great state.”


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Henry, speaking to an overflow crowd attending the annual Governor's Arts Awards at the state Capitol, said this year's Oklahoma Centennial helped "showcase the fabulous arts in Oklahoma.”

"The centennial events that lasted for more than a year I believe really reinvigorated pride in our great state,” Henry said to about 500 who crowded into the 4th-floor rotunda. "Our future is even more exciting.”

Christy Everest of Oklahoma City and Nancy Meinig of Tulsa each received the prestigious Governor's Arts Award for their longtime leadership and contributions to the arts across Oklahoma. They were among 16 people and four organizations honored during the ceremony. Recipients of the Governor's Arts Awards are selected by previous winners of the awards from statewide nominations.

Christy Everest
"It's a great honor,” said Everest, chairman and chief executive officer of The Oklahoma Publishing Co., which publishes The Oklahoman. "I love the arts and it's just really exciting to be here. It's a special day.”

She has served on a number of arts-related boards including the Allied Arts Board, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma City Arts Festival committee, Omniplex board and the Beaux Arts Ball committee, which benefits the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Nancy Meinig
Meinig, who has been involved in community service in Tulsa since 1980, said: "I'm very humbled by it. I'm thrilled by it.”

Meinig has served as a trustee of Philbrook Museum of Art, where she recently was board chairman.

She is a board member of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, University of Tulsa Board of Visitors and the Child Abuse Network.

Betty Price
Betty Price, who retired this year as executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council, also was honored.

Price, who began her tenure on the council in 1974 and served as executive director for 24 years, has provided "undying, tireless promotion of the arts in Oklahoma,” the governor said.

"She has done so much for this state,” the governor said. "No other person has done so much for the arts as Betty Price.”

Price, only the third person to win the governor's leadership in art award, has been a guiding force in public art at the Capitol and was an adviser for the Capitol dome.

"It really humbles me ... to be recognized for something that you love and have a real passion for and that's the arts,” she said. "In the many years that I have worked in the arts, I never dreamed that this honor would come to me.”


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Related Topics: U.S. State Government, U.S. Government, Entertainment, Entertainment Awards, Cultural Institutions and Parks, Museums


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