FRANKFORT, Ky. — The recipients of the 2012 Governor’s Awards in the Arts will each receive a handcrafted, personalized sculpture by Louisville artist Mark Needham when Governor Steve Beshear presents the state’s highest honors in the arts at a ceremony in Frankfort.

The 2012 Governor’s award, "Art is the Tree of Life," is sculpted of aluminum, plastic, glass and resin, with an LED backlight and a removable ART brooch. The pins were created with the individual recipients in mind; each pin reflects its recipient’s life in the arts.

The Kentucky Arts Council commissions a Kentucky artist to create the awards each year. The 2012 awards will be presented at a public ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 in the Capitol Rotunda.

“We invite the public to attend the awards presentation and celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions to the arts made by their fellow Kentuckians,” said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director.

An architect and artist on the Louisville arts scene for more than 30 years, Needham is a creator of unique jewelry for men and women. His work is available in leading American museums and a variety of retail stores around the country. He also operates a multi-disciplinary design company, GOOD IDEA!, which emphasizes unique design solutions and unexpected use of materials.

The 2012 Governor’s Awards in the Arts recipients are:

• Milner Award – William G. Francis, Prestonsburg
• National Award – Bobbie Ann Mason, Lawrenceburg
• Artist Award – Gray Zeitz, Owenton
• Business Award – UK HealthCare Arts in HealthCare Program, Lexington
• Community Arts Award – Latitude Artist Community, Lexington
• Education Award – Christina Hartke Towell, Morehead
• Folk Heritage Award – Leona Waddell, Cecilia
• Government Award – U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, Louisville
• Media Award – Jeffrey Lee Puckett, Louisville

For more information about the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, visit the arts council online at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/KentuckyArt/GA12_Recipients.htm.

View a high-resolution image of the award.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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