(Frankfort, Ky.) - Every year the Kentucky Arts Council awards professional artists Al Smith Fellowships to recognize and encourage artistic excellence in Kentucky. The fellowships, named for KET's "Comment on Kentucky" host and former Arts Council chair (1977-1980) Al Smith, alternate between two discipline groupings: visual and media artist in one year and writers, composers, choreographers, and interdisciplinary artists in the other. A thought provoking visual and media arts exhibit will be ready for viewing on opening night of the Actors Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol," November 27, 2004 and will feature the work of 24 artists awarded fellowships in 2002 or 2004. Opening reception and a chance to meet the artists will be Friday, December 3, in conjunction with Louisville's First Friday Downtown Gallery Trolley Hop. The exhibit will continue through January 29, 2005.

"It would be fair to say that a Fellowship recipients' exhibition is not a common event and that's unfortunate for a number of reasons," says show curator Albertus Gorman. "The first is that those who are interested in Kentucky's art world would miss out on seeing some of the best art being produced by our Commonwealth's artists. Most artists I know are interested in having their work seen and the Fellowship show provides another good opportunity for exposure with the attached prestige of having won this statewide award."

"This is a great collaboration project between Actors and the Arts Council," says Roanne Victor who has been the gallery director at Actors Theatre for 30 years and also serves on the governing board of the Kentucky Arts Council. "We did this show in 2000 and the response was fantastic. The Fellowship Program is very important for enhancing Kentucky's visibility as a place where great art is created and this show gives Actors' patrons a chance to experience the best of the visual arts and the best of theatre."

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet. Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council invests in programs that develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation. Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government.

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EDITORS NOTE: See listing below for participating artists, award year, medium and city of residence. The Arts council provides a virtual gallery of fellowship artists at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/virtual.htm. Print quality art images are available upon request.