LEXINGTON, Ky. — Artists across the bluegrass received their flowers at Kentucky’s annual Governor’s Arts Awards on Friday.
It was the first time the annual event honoring the arts was held outside of Frankfort.
“We are an art gallery, we are a theater and we’re a community engagement space,” Lyric Theatre director, Christian Adair said.
The humanitarian-inspired awards are given out to organizations, artists, musicians, writers and educators for their gift and dedication to arts in the state.
Dan Neil Barnes was one of nine winners receiving an honor for art.
“I recall thinking how incredible it would be someday when that prestigious award … it is," Barnes said as he thanked the governor and the crowd.
Awards in business, education, government, culture and community-influenced art were highlighted.
Beshear said the arts generate thousands of tourism dollars every year and that his administration invested nearly two million dollars into art recovery programs across the state.
“By recognizing these Kentuckians, we pave the way for future artists showing them that they can pursue these dreams and make a great living,” Beshear said.
Governor Beshear said artists have a fundamental role in the lives of Kentuckians.
This year's governor’s award image was a painting of a monarch butterfly on a goldenrod, Kentucky's state flower.