Two long-time contributors to the arts in Dayton will be the recipients of the 2014 Ohio Governor's Awards for the Arts. Dayton Philharmonic Music Director, Neil Gittleman, and Sheri Williams with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company were selected with 4 other winners from around the state for the prestigious award.
In a released statement, Gittleman, who has been with the Dayton Philharmonic since the mid-eighties, said he was “honored” and “humbled” by the award. The conductor added that, "although the award puts the spotlight on him, it really honors the Dayton Philharmonic’s, and now the DPAA’s, focus on community engagement and service over many years.”
Sheri “Sparkle” Williams received the individual artist award for her 40 years of work with the DCDC.
“At the beginning, I think I never, ever thought I’d be dancing at all this long, but it’s such a big part of me," says Williams. "The environment is just so nurturing, challenging, and inspiring. It’s afforded me the opportunity to create lasting and encouraging relationships with people all over the world.”
Six winners this year were selected from 76 nominations submitted by individuals and organizations throughout Ohio. Among Dayton’s many past recipients of the Governor’s Award are Michael Bashaw, the Charles F. Kettering family, Cityfolk and the Dayton Art Institute.
