Piedmont Arts Honors Supporters at Clyde Hooker Awards

Piedmont Arts will honor the legacy of the late Judy Matthews and Kings Grant at the 15th Annual Clyde Hooker Awards on Thursday, June 8 at 5:30 pm at the museum.

Each year, Piedmont Arts honors individuals and businesses for their support of the museum and the arts in Martinsville-Henry County.

“It is a privilege to be able to honor such worthwhile recipients of the Clyde Hooker Award as Judy Matthews and Kings Grant,” said Executive Director Kathy Rogers. “Without the support of people like Judy and businesses like Kings Grant, the arts and culture in our community would not be at the forefront of economic development and community vitality.”

“Sadly, Judy passed away on April 24, but we look forward to honoring her legacy as a major force in Martinsville-Henry County,” said Rogers. “In addition to her long-time support of Piedmont Arts, including many years as a Board member and as past Board President, Judy was a Foundation Board member of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and president of Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County. She also served nine years on the Martinsville City School Board and was the first woman to serve as the board’s Chair.”

“We also look forward to honoring the support and commitment of Kings Grant, a Sunnyside Community, to arts and culture in our community,” continued Rogers. “We are so appreciative of the support Kings Grant gives to Piedmont Arts and the fact that they promote arts and culture to their residents. They often will bring residents to events here at the museum and at other venues.”

In addition to the recipients of the Clyde Hooker Award, the reception will also recognize the recipients of the museum's Arts in Education Award: 

• Lynn Berry, Studio 107 artist, Martinsville Middle School Afterschool Arts Program teaching artist
• Terry Mitchell, Studio 107 artist, Martinsville Middle School Afterschool Arts Program teaching artist

The recipients of the Nicodemus Hufford Memorial Arts Scholarship: 

• Scout Wiles, Carlisle School

and the recipients of the Harold Knowlton Work Memorial Scholarship:

• Rocky Ankeny, studying performing arts at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Breanna Ferguson, studying visual arts and arts education at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Haley Ferguson, studying visual arts and arts education at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Darius Hairston, studying performing arts at Lee University
• Cody McVey, studying performing arts at Boston Conservatory
• Alyssa Prillaman, studying performing arts at Belmont University
• Haley Reid, studying visual arts at Virginia Commonwealth University

Light refreshments will be served at the reception. In lieu of an admission cost, guests are invited to make a donation to Piedmont Arts’ scholarship fund. Please RSVP attendance to 276.632.3221 or online at PiedmontArts.org.

About the Clyde Hooker Award
The Piedmont Arts Board of Directors established the Clyde Hooker Award in 2003 to recognize individuals and businesses in Martinsville-Henry County that have made significant contributions to arts and culture in our community. The award is named in honor of J. Clyde Hooker, Jr. for his generous support of the arts.