On August 31, 2023, St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper announced the recipients of the 17th annual President's Arts Awards presented by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs. President Cooper said, “These artists are instrumental in making our Parish vibrant, enjoyable and the place that we proudly call home.”
President Cooper is delighted to honor once again the artists who have displayed their talents and contributed to the Parish’s culture. Cooper said, "I also appreciate the efforts of the Commission, who are dedicated to celebrating our native artists. Congratulations to all of our talented artists, and thank you for your incredible work and service to St. Tammany!”
The honorees are Performing Artist – Lydia Gazzo; Visual Artist – Paulo Dufour; Literary Artist – Carroll Devine; Musical Artist – Dr. William Horne; Culinary Artist – Keith Young; Patron of the Arts – Frank Richerand; Outstanding Service Award – Cindy Pulling; President’s Award – Friends of the Dew Drop; Native Son Award – Brian Edwards and Lifetime Achievement Award – John Snell.
The celebration will be held at Northshore Technical Community College in Lacombe on Thursday, October 12, 2023.
“The Commission, along with the help of St. Tammany Parish Government, is excited to host this annual event. It is a collaboration of local talent on display, along with our finest talents being celebrated, which culminates in an inspirational evening,” said Commission of Cultural Arts Chair, Laura Prisco. “We are lucky to live in a parish where the arts are supported, encouraged, and flourish.”
To find more information about the Presidents Arts Awards and the Commission on Cultural Affairs, visit www.stpgov.org/cca
The St. Tammany President’s Arts Awards is held annually to recognize outstanding artists in St. Tammany Parish. The recipients are selected in 10 categories by the Parish President and the Commission on Cultural Affairs. It is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
