News
August 22, 2008
Tift Merritt To Host Raleigh Medal Of Arts Ceremony
Singer and songwriter Tift Merritt will host the 24th annual Medal of Arts ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Fletcher Opera Theater of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission has announced.
Tift Merritt is a Grammy-nominated recording artist who recently released a new album, “Another Country.” Ms. Merritt began her career as a singer-songwriter and recording artist in Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Her 2002 debut album, “Bramble Rose,” was selected by Time magazine as one of the top 10 CDs of the year. Publishing in the rock, country, and soul genres, Ms. Merritt released her second album, “Tambourine,” in 2005, which was nominated for a Grammy award. She followed up that album with “Home is Loud.”
The Medal of Arts Ceremony will be a celebration of the lifelong contributions to the arts of the recipients, featuring musicians, dancers, poets and visual art. This year’s ceremony honors Capital Bank, a supporter of Raleigh arts community; Dr. Lucy Daniels, a writer and clinical psychologist; Dr. Charles “Chuck” Davis, founder and artistic director of the African-American Dance Ensemble; Lenard D. Moore, a poet and president of the Haiku Society of America; Susan Spurlin Newberry, former executive director of PineCone Traditional Music, the largest and most active traditional music organization in North Carolina; and Jeffery H. Richardson, a musician and conductor who is band director at Broughton High School. The ceremony also will include special guest speakers to be announced.
Established in 1977, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. The Arts Commission serves as Raleigh City Council’s official advisory and advocacy body for the arts. The commission’s myriad activities foster, support, and promote art in the Capital City. The Raleigh Medal of Arts Program was originally based on the National Medal of Arts program, and was inaugurated in 1984 by the Arts Commission so that excellence in the arts could be given special recognition. Over the past 24 years, 122 medals have been awarded.
For more information about the 24th annual Medal of Arts, contact the City of Raleigh Arts Commission office at 890-3610 or email Belva.parker@ci.raleigh.nc.us.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
June Guralnick
Arts Commission, Executive Director
City Manager Department
222 West Hargett Street, Room 504
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-890-3610
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