Pike County Arts & Crafts wins statewide arts award

State’s First Lady announces recipients of the 2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts MILFORD — Pike County Arts & Crafts has won the 2007 Pennsylvania Creative Community Award. “That means we’re the best little creative community in the State of Pennsylvania,” an elated former PCA&C Director, Elizabeth Murphy said Wednesday. Pike County Arts and Crafts was named for the group’s creativity and all the projects they do around the county, Murphy added. The “58, going on 59 year-old” organization has become a model for other small arts organizations in the state, she said. First Lady, Judge Marjorie O. Rendell announced the recipients of the coveted 2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts at the newly renovated Majestic Theater in Gettysburg on Tuesday. The award honors outstanding artists, arts organizations and patrons of the arts in Pennsylvania for their excellence and achievement in the arts. “It is my honor to announce this year’s winners of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts,” said Judge Rendell. “As is evident by their hard work and creative spirit, the recipients undoubtedly serve as inspirational visionaries for the artistic future of our commonwealth.” The following recipients will receive their awards: • 2007 Distinguished Arts Awards: Rob Marshall, director and choreographer of Academy Award winning films and Tony Award winning Broadway musicals; and Kathleen Marshall, Tony Award nominated director and choreographer. Kathleen and Rob Marshall, from Pittsburgh, are brother and sister. • 2007 Artist of the Year Award: Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris, Philadelphia, acclaimed choreographer, artistic director and founder of the hip-hop dance company, Rennie Harris Puremovement. • 2007 Patron Award: David and Jennifer LeVan of Gettysburg. • 2007 Pennsylvania Creative Community Award: Pike County Arts & Crafts of Milford. • 2007 Outstanding Leadership & Service to Youth Awards: The Settlement Music School, a 100-year-old community school for the arts in Philadelphia; and nationally renowned teacher of classical ballet Marcia Dale Weary of Carlisle. Governor Rendell will present the awards at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, at The Majestic Theater in Gettysburg. The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will include presentations and special performances. A ticketed reception will immediately follow the ceremony. An open call for nominations for the 2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts was issued to arts organizations, artists, arts patrons, elected officials and members of the public. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts received more than 85 nominations. For more information, visit www.pacouncilonthearts.org .