NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Sept. 24, 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov
TED WELCH TO RECEIVE
GOVERNOR’S ARTS AWARD
Oklahoma City, OK -- Edward L. (Ted) Welch, McAlester, will be honored by Governor Brad Henry at the 33rd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards. Welch will receive a Community Service Award which recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council, 15 individuals and three organizations will be honored for their contributions to the arts in their communities or throughout the state. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 23rd in the 4th Floor Rotunda of the State Capitol and is open to the public. Presiding at the ceremony will be Council Chair Jim Tolbert and Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Suzanne Tate. A reception on the first floor of the Capitol will follow the 4 p.m. ceremony.
After a long career as Drafting and Design Instructor and Industrial Coordinator at the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester, Welch retired to paint and relax. The quiet life eluded him as his passion to see the arts brought to the forefront in McAlester emerged. He spent countless hours working with community leaders and various local fine arts groups to reorganize and revitalize the Southeast Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council. His dream was to give those who had never had the chance, an opportunity to be exposed to cultural events.
He went on to organize the Southeast Oklahoma Art Guild and through his efforts, area artists of all mediums joined the guild. It wasn’t long before events such as Arts on the Streets was held downtown, and the Fine Arts Show once again began drawing crowds at the annual Italian Festival. The pre-event Gala gave patrons of the arts an opportunity to visit one-on-one with the artist and a chance to view and purchase artwork. He partnered with the local newspaper that showcased local artists in front page articles and pictures. The Chamber of Commerce’s office became a major outlet to feature artist’s work for public viewing. With his encouragement, the local hospital offered a broad wall space for multiple artists to display their work.
Welch opened the door for the Arts and Humanities Council to partner with the public schools arranging for visiting artists to come into classrooms entertaining children will musical concerts and art workshops. Thanks to him, the Council partnered with The Garrard Ardeneum Foundation where children were encouraged to enhance their musical talents by participating in the Summer Music Institute. Mentored by internationally renowned musicians, the Institute culminated with a performance by the children that showcased what they had learned.
Born in Hughes Springs, Texas, art was a very large part of his life since early childhood. His interest in art heightened when he attended Kilgore College and he has been painting since that time. He has several solo exhibitions and won awards in juried art shows. In recent years, he has created primarily landscapes, still life, and some portraits and his work has also been shown in the State Capitol as well as in collections across the United States. He credits Wanda Bass of McAlester for much of his interest in art. This gentle man with the quiet demeanor has shown the community how to work together to revive the arts.
A complete list of Governor’s Arts Awards recipients and their photos are available at www.arts.ok.gov.
For more information, contact Ann Dee Lee, Public Relations Director, Oklahoma Arts Council, (405) 521-2931 or anndee@arts.ok.gov.
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL
The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.
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