News
October 2, 2008
Raleigh Medal Of Arts Presenters Announced
The City of Raleigh Arts Commission has announced the presenters and performers for the Medal of Arts ceremony. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. in the Fletcher Opera Theater of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
In addition to host Tift Merritt performing with Community Music School Vocal Ensemble, there will be performances by Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion and the African-American Dance Ensemble. Before the ceremony, Enloe High School’s Flute Ensemble will perform. The Broughton High School Jazz Band will play at a reception immediately following the ceremony.
Other presenters for the evening include: Lisbeth C. Evans, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources; Lisa Grele Barrie, managing director of the North Carolina Theatre; Sally Buckner, writer and editor; Larry Nixon, host of the PineCone Bluegrass Show on WQDR-FM; Melissa Peden, community arts advocate; Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, senior administrator of arts education for the Wake County Public School system; June Guralnick, executive director of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission; and Lenard Moore, one of the Medal of Arts recipients who will be reading selections from his poetry.
The 24th Annual Medal of Arts Ceremony will honor award recipients Capital Bank, supporter of Raleigh’s arts community; Dr. Lucy Daniels, writer and clinical psychologist; Dr. Charles “Chuck” Davis, founder and artistic director of the African-American Dance Ensemble; Lenard D. Moore, poet and president of the Haiku Society of America; Susan Spurlin Newberry , former executive director of PineCone Traditional Music; and Jeffery H. Richardson, musician and conductor who is the band director at Broughton High School. The Medal of Arts ceremony is free, and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Established in 1977, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. The Arts Commission serves as Raleigh City Council’s official advisory and advocacy body for the arts. The Arts Commission’s myriad activities foster, support, and promote art in the Capital City. The Raleigh Medal of Arts Program was originally based on the National Medal of Arts program, and was inaugurated in 1984 by the Arts Commission so that excellence in the arts could be given special recognition. Over the past 24 years, 122 medals have been awarded.
For further information about the 24th Annual Medal of Arts, contact the City of Raleigh Arts Commission at 890-3610 or email Belva.parker@ci.raleigh.nc.us.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
June Guralnick
Arts Commission, Executive Director
City Manager Department
222 West Hargett Street, Room 504
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-890-3610
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