It’s a word she hears a lot in Ireland, and it fit her reaction to hearing she’d been named the Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Artist of the Year.
“I’m gobsmacked,” said Lillie Morris, a painter who has spent many summers in Ireland as part of artist-in-residence programs.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council recently announced the winners of its annual awards. The awards ceremony will be a virtual one again this year, according to an email.
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Caren “Ooollee” Bricker had a similar reaction to Morris.
“You could’ve knocked me over with a feather,” said Bricker, who owns Vintage Ooollee on Broad Street, and was named the President’s Award winner.
Bricker said Brenda Durant, the arts council’s executive director, had taken Bricker to lunch to give her the news.
Bricker is involved with the arts community in multiple ways. Not only does she help with the costuming needs for many of the local performing arts groups, but she works with the Arts Council for its annual Wet Paint party, integrating models and fashions into the theme.
She also leads a team with the Beats on Broad event held during Pride weekend in June.
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“I could not do it without my team,” she said. “I’m like the producer.”
A lot of talented individuals help her put the entire thing together, she said.
Karen Gordon is not only a performer, but a volunteer as well, and she was named the arts council’s volunteer of the year.
“To use a phrase from one of my favorite people, local artist and drummer, Not Gaddy, I am thankful for this. The fact is, no one creates or serves in a vacuum so I’m grateful for all the people who serve with me, who inspire me to do the work, to get out of bed, to leave the house and do the necessary work of supporting the arts and artists in this area,” she said. “Grateful for the opportunity. Whereas I’m in front, there are always a group of folks, a tribe of people who make magic alongside and with me.”
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Other winners include Earnestine Robinson as arts professional, WJBF as the media recipient, Augusta Housing and Community Development in the sponsorship category, and Cole Phail, who painted the James Brown Mural, won the Kath Girdler Engler Award for Public Art.
The recipients will be honored in a virtual event at 6 p.m. June 17.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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