MONTPELIER — Two local folks will be among the recipients of the 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards. These awards, selected by the Vermont Arts Council, are presented annually to recognize outstanding individual and organizational contributions to the arts. Awards are given to educators, artists, performers, advocates, administrators, volunteers, and scholars. In 2017, Vermonters will be recognized for their contributions in five categories.
Chris Bohjalian of Lincoln will receive the Walter Cerf Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. He is the author of 18 books, most of which have been New York Times bestsellers, including “Sandcastle Girls,” “The Light in the Ruins,” and “The Guest Room.”
His work has been translated into more than 30 languages, and three of his books have been adapted for film. Bohjalian’s books have been chosen as “Best Books of the Year” by, among others, the Washington Post, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Gregory S. Sharrow of Middlebury will receive the Arthur Williams Award for Meritorious Service to the Arts. Sharrow has worked at the Vermont Folklife Center for the past 29 years, serving as co-executive director, director of education and folklorist. He has conducted field research and worked collaboratively to present research materials in a variety of media including video, audio, and exhibition. He has served on NEA grant review panels and folk arts review panels throughout New England.
The other Governor’s Arts Award recipients will be David Macaulay of Norwich, author of “The Way Things Work”; choreographer and director Taryn Noelle of Stowe; and Cornelia Carey of Calais, who runs an organization that provides emergency relief assistance for artists.
The Governor’s Arts Awards celebration will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. Tickets for the event will be available Sept. 26. More information is at vermontartscouncil.org.