Ralph Stanley will be honored by Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine on Sept. 17.
RICHMOND, Va. -- A legendary bluegrass musician and a regional arts center are among 10 recipients of the Virginia Governor's Awards for the Arts.
Clintwood native Ralph Stanley and the William King Regional Arts Center (WKRAC) in Abingdon are winners, according to a news release.
The winners were selected from 345 nominations, including artists, arts organizations and supporters of the arts. They will be honored by Gov. Tim Kaine at a Sept. 17 reception in Richmond.
"These awards recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in the arts," Kaine said in the release. "They call attention to the creative spirit that contributes to the quality of life throughout the commonwealth."
A Grammy Award winner, Stanley is recognized worldwide for his unique style of banjo playing and tenor vocals. He has performed around the globe and on more than 170 albums and CDs. He first performed with his late brother, Carter Stanley, and later with the Clinch Mountain Boys, one of the most celebrated bluegrass groups in the world. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
WKRAC is the only accredited art museum in far southwest Virginia. The arts center is recognized as the area's only institution of its type and for its arts education programs that travel to schools in 14 counties.
