Arts Council
Arts Council Commissions Laura Ross for Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The recipients of the 2005 Governor’s Awards in the Arts will each receive a ceramic vessel specially created by artist Laura Ross of Prospect, Ky.  Governor Ernie Fletcher and First Lady Glenna Fletcher will present the awards at a public ceremony and celebration on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.

 “We feel that a piece of artwork made by a notable Kentucky artist is the most appropriate award to give to those who have contributed so much to the arts in Kentucky,” said Lori Meadows, Executive Director of the Kentucky Arts Council.

Laura Ross lives and works in her studio along the Ohio River near Louisville.  Her beginnings in art were as a painter at the University of Louisville but later she found her way to clay and received her Masters in Ceramics under the esteemed functional potter, Tom Marsh.  Laura has enjoyed making her living as a potter since 1985.  She exhibits nationally in galleries and juried craft shows including the prestigious American Craft Council shows, the Buyers Market of American Craft shows and Kentucky Crafted: The Market.  Her work can be found in private collections and galleries throughout the country. 

“Most of my pots are thrown on the wheel then altered by changing the shape and manipulating the clay to reveal its flexibility,” said Ross. “This manipulation is important to me as it enhances the fluidity and liveliness of the pot which is what I am forever trying to achieve in my work.”

The Governor’s Awards in the Arts recipients are selected annually in nine different categories.  The 2005 recipients are The Everly Brothers (Don born in Brownie, Kentucky, Phil, Chicago, Illinois), National Award; Glema Mahr, Madisonville, Milner Award; Jay Flippin, Morehead, Artist Award; Artique, Lexington, Business Award, Baker-Hunt Foundation, Covington, Community Arts Award; Hazel Carver, Russellville, Education Award; Marvin Finn, Louisville, Folk Heritage Award; Governor’s School for the Arts, statewide, Government Award; and Kentucky Monthly, statewide (based in Frankfort), Media Award.

The Kentucky Arts Council administers the Governor’s Awards in the Arts selection process.  Nominations are annually solicited from the public, reviewed by a selection committee and presented to the Governor for final approval.  Nominations for the 2006 awards will be accepted in September 2006.  For more information about the Kentucky Arts Council or the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, go to www.artscouncil,ky.gov. 

NOTE TO EDITORS: High resolution photo of award available at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/Press_Images/LauraRoss2.jpg PHOTO: © Bob Payne

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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet that invests in programs that develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation.  Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.