AAHC announces Bart Award winners
Allied Arts and Humanities Council of Bartlesville recently announced the 2014 winners of its annual Bart Awards. Recipients will be recognized at the AAHC annual awards banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 24 at Hillcrest Country Club.
The “Community Ambassador” award will be presented to Bartlesville native Ann Marie “Ree” Drummond, best-selling author, food writer, photographer and television personality. Drummond has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “The Today Show” and “The View,” among others. She has been featured in Ladies Home Journal, Woman’s Day, People Magazine and Southern Living and has published three “Pioneer Woman” cookbooks, including her latest “A Year of Holidays” in 2013. Drummond has authored several children’s books as well.
The “Out of Town ‘Builder of Stars’” award goes to Nick Sweet. During the past 37 years, Sweet directed more than 130 productions for theater groups in Oklahoma, Texas and Alaska, including 16 shows at the Bartlesville Community Center.
“Builder of Stars” will be awarded to Jan Watt, champion of musical dramatic arts in Bartlesville. Watt is Children’s Musical Theater’s program manager and has served as executive director. She has actively volunteered in every area of CMT production, including music, auditions, programs, publicity and fundraising.
Three “Local” Bart Awards will be presented this year.
Penny Williams is honored for her devotion to set creation and backdrop preparation for productions of the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Musical Theater.
Lee GrothOlson will receive the honor of a Local Bart Award for her community involvement with the musical arts. GrothOlson has been a Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra member, served on the board since 2008 and is presently BSO general manager. She has appeared on stage as a performer in a number of the symphony’s productions. GrothOlson owned and operated three private piano studios in three different states and has served internationally as a Christian missionary and music educator.
Bob Fraser, CEO of the Frank Phillips Foundation and operating officer of Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, receives AAHC’s Local Bart Award for his success in leading the foundation and his achievement in raising Woolaroc’s level of vitality and presence in cultural and historical contributions to the Bartlesville area community. Fraser received the 2013 Tom Shoemake Leadership Award, presented by Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets to the celebration and awards banquet are $60 per person and include a dinner buffet, entertainment, a favor and a cash bar. Tickets may be purchased by calling 918-766-2090 or emailing littlekay53@gmail.com.
