Governor honors 13 for cultural contributions

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. First day visitors of the NCCHR at the interactive lunch counter exhibit, which recreates through an audio and visual experience what it was like to be at a lunch counter sit-in. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: hpousner

Credit: hpousner

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. First day visitors of the NCCHR at the interactive lunch counter exhibit, which recreates through an audio and visual experience what it was like to be at a lunch counter sit-in. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

In a Capitol ceremony on Tuesday, Gov. Nathan Deal honored 13 individuals and organizations in the third annual Governor's Awards in the Arts and Humanities, recognizing contributions to the state's cultural vitality.

Atlanta Ballet leaders accepted the Governors Award on Tuesday,

Credit: hpousner

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Credit: hpousner

Metro Atlanta honorees included: Leslie Gordon, director of Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts; Paul Hudson, historian-educator; Douglas Scott, Full Radius Dance Company artistic director; Atlanta Ballet; Center for Civil and Human Rights; and the music-worship group Meridian Herald.

Honored from elsewhere around the state: Syd Blackmarr, arts advocate, Tifton; Fred and Dinah Gretsch, president and CFO, respectively, of Gretsch musical instrument company, Savannah; the Activities Council of Thomson, Thomson; Brenau University, Gainesville; Freedom Singers, Albany; Carl Purdy, music and humanities instructor, Georgia Regents University, Augusta; and Richard B. Russell Library of Political Research and Studies at the University of Georgia, Athens.

“Georgia’s arts and humanities sectors propel our state forward by improving quality of life for the citizens and businesses of our state,” Gov. Deal said. “The individuals and organizations honored here today are committed to growing and sustaining Georgia’s vibrant culture and history, and I am grateful for their significant contributions to our state.”

The 2014 Governor’s Award was handcrafted by Whelchel Meaders, a member of the famed family of Georgia folk potters.

The awards were presented in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities Council.

More information: http://gaarts.org/8-news/61-gca-governors-arts-awards.