Governor’s Arts Awards presented today

Arts Community Development recipient Dean Kumpuris

Arts Community Development recipient Dean Kumpuris

The Arkansas Arts Council will present the 2016 Governor’s Arts Awards today at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. Sponsored annually by the Arkansas Arts Council, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals and corporations for outstanding contributions to the arts in Arkansas.

The recipients were nominated by the public and then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals from around the state. Each recipient will be honored at a ceremony in the spring and will receive an original work of art created by Arkansas artist Kelly Edwards.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Suzanne Vining Kunkel, Little Rock

Arts Community Development Award
Dr. Dean Kumpuris, Little Rock

Arts in Education Award
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff

Corporate Sponsorship of the Arts Award
Deltic Timber, El Dorado

Folklife Award
Sonny Burgess and The Legendary Pacers, Newport

Individual Artist Award
RB McGrath, Jacksonville

Patron Award
Dr. Thomas A. Bruce, Little Rock

Judges Recognition Award
Theresa Timmons-Shamberger, Maumelle

The selection committee members included Mildred Franco, Arkansas Arts Council board, Pine Bluff; Ed Clifford, The Jones Center, Bentonville; Aj Smith, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Chris James, The Roots Art Connection, North Little Rock; and Cathy Cunningham, Southern Bancorp Community Partners, Helena.

Final Day of Riverfest: Fireworks, Fun, and Fantastic Music

banner-square-dayRiverfest concludes today with even more live music and fun.   A highlight of the evening will be the First Security Bank Fireworks display at approximately 9pm.

On the Bud Light Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center, the Saturday night acts are Cody Belew (6:30pm), Florida Georgia Line (7:45pm) and Dierks Bentley (at 9:45pm).

During the afternoon, the acts will be Big Shane Thornton (2pm), Trey Hawkins Band (3:30pm) and Matt Stell & Deep Roots (5pm).

The Miller Lite/Arkansas Federal Credit Union Stage evening acts will feature Drive-By Truckers (at 7:30pm) and Peter Frampton (at 9:30pm).

Earlier in the day, the stage will feature Swampbird (1:30pm), Stephen Neeper Band (3pm), Sonny Burgess & The Pacers (4:30pm) and Paul Thorn (6pm).

The Stickyz Music Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center will feature Toubab Krewe (at 7:45pm) and Richie Spice (at 9:45pm).  Earlier in the day, the stage will host Damn Arkansan (2pm), The Dangerous Idiots (at 3:15pm), Adam Faucett (at 4:30pm) and Tyrannosaurus Chicken (at 6pm).

Throughout the three days of the Festival, kids will enjoy Deltic Timber KidZone area of Riverfest 2013.  The ”KidZone Playtime Promenade” presented by Deltic Timber is located along the banks of the Arkansas River near the Peabody Playground & Water Park in the central area of Julius Breckling Riverfront Park. Kids will have a great time strolling along the Riverwalk Promenade, which will feature lots of hands on activities, exciting games, creative crafts and more.