News Release

Christy Everest to receive Governor's Arts Award

Nov. 6, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov

Oklahoma City, OK – Christy Everest, Oklahoma City, will be honored by Governor Brad Henry at the 32nd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards. Everest will receive the prestigious Governor’s Award which recognizes individuals for longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts across Oklahoma.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council, 16 individuals and four 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., Wednesday, November 28th 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 Interim Executive Director Suzanne Tate.

Everest is Chairman, Director and CEO of The Oklahoma Publishing Company, which publishes the Oklahoman and is based in Oklahoma City. Everest has served on a wide range of boards and committees, including the Allied Arts Board, the Oklahoma Heritage Association, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, Lyric Theatre, Omniplex Board, Oklahoma City Arts Festival Committee, Beaux Arts Ball committee that benefits the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and has been very active in fundraising for the arts.

A long time supporter of the University of Oklahoma, Everest was Chairman of the University of the Oklahoma Board of Regents in 2006 and served as a member of the Regents from 1999 – 2006. She also served on the board of visitors for the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. During that time, her influence and support helped raise awareness and funds for the arts. In 2000, Everest was named the Woman of the Year from the Girl Scout’s Redlands Council and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2004.

A reception on the first floor of the Capitol will follow the 4 p.m. ceremony.  A complete list of Governor’s Arts Awards recipients and their photos are available at www.arts.ok.gov. For more information about the Governor’s Arts Awards, please contact Ann Dee Lee at (405) 521-2931 or at 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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