2016 Inductees into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame Announced
The Carnegie Center is p
roud to announce the five inductees into the 2016 Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame, including the second living author to join the esteemed Hall: Bobbie Ann Mason.
"Bobbie Ann has been one of Kentucky's premier writers for more than 40 years," said Neil Chethik, Executive Director of the Carnegie Center. "She's a pioneer in short-story writing and a true literary artist. We are thrilled to be honoring her."
The five winners (listed below alphabetically) will be publicly announced and honored at the 2016 Induction Ceremony slated for Thursday, January 28, 7:00 PM. Doors will open at 6:30 for the event, which is free to the public. Light refreshments and sweets will be provided. We will also have a special musical performance from Ritchie's Nieces, a group comprised of 2016 inductee Jean Ritchie's actual nieces.
2016 Deceased Inductees:
James Lane Allen
Harlan Hubbard
Alice Hegan Rice
Jean Ritchie
Living Inductee:
Bobbie Ann Mason
Selection to the Hall of Fame involved a 3-step process: 1) nominations from the general public; 2) recommendations from a committee chaired by Lori Meadows, director of the Kentucky Arts Council, and including former state poets laureate, novelists, bookstore owners, a publisher and the state librarian; and 3) final selection by the Carnegie Center's Hall of Fame Creation Committee.
For a writer to have been eligible this year he/she must be 1) published; 2) someone whose writing is of enduring stature; and 3) someone connected in a significant way to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Following Wendell Berry's induction last year as the Hall's first living writer, nominations were opened again for one living author to be included in the 2016 class.
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame was created to recognize Kentucky writers whose work reflects the character and culture of our commonwealth, and to educate Kentuckians about our state's rich literary heritage.
ABOUT THE CARNEGIE CENTER
The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning empowers people to explore and express their voices through imaginative learning and the literary arts. The Carnegie Center is a family learning and literary arts center devoted to helping all people improve their quality of life. Our open-door policy invites people young and old to learn something new. We offer seasonal classes in writing, computer literacy, graphic design, and world languages; tutoring for students grades K-12; vibrant youth and family programs; literary readings, and other arts-related events, designed to encourage an appreciation for all art forms, and learning in general, among Central Kentuckians.
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